DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN (PIX11) –  People who rely on Brooklyn Defender Services may have their non-essential court dates postponed, as a strike will be called at 8 a.m. 

Thursday morning if no new contract deal is reached overnight. 

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Nearly 500 employees could walk off the job, including 280 attorneys, 80 social workers, and 160 other staff members, such as paralegals and investigators.

Brian Holbrook, a public defender and representative for UAW Local 2325, told PIX11 News, “They will keep bargaining until the possible moment to try to avert a strike.” 

The picket lines will form at 9:45 a.m. if a strike is called at 8 a.m. 

Holbrook said, “If we want to attract the best talent, the people who are going to do the best job for our client, we need to make sure we’re offering a living wage.” 

He said he believes the salary can be worked out. Still, the other sticking points remain the length of the probationary term of employment, the amount of sick time, and management’s use of an app for timecards that can also track employee locations.

As for the clients, Holbrook said, “The union members have been very busy over the last few days and weeks, preparing detailed coverage for supervisors to be able to step into our shoes, to be able to appear with our clients on scheduled court dates.”

Lisa Schreibersdorf, Executive Director of Brooklyn Defender Services, said in a statement: 

“BDS has offered a generous salary package to staff that includes substantial raises in the first year, an additional 3% in the following two years, as well as step increases requested by the union. We have also agreed to freeze or reduce the staff health benefit contribution. This was enabled by additional resources supplied by the Mayor for which we are grateful.  Regarding other issues, BDS has made many proposals to increase time off and codify a hybrid work system.We are continuing to bargain and hope to resolve the contract without a strike. In keeping with our mission of providing outstanding legal representation, BDS supervisors are prepared to handle the cases of the people we represent and to be available to New Yorkers who rely on our critical services.”

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