BROOKLYN/QUEENS — PUBLIC DEFENDERS, SOCIAL WORKERS and staff affiliated with Brooklyn Defenders Services walked off the job Thursday morning, according to a statement released by Lisa Schreibersdorf, executive director of BDS. She said the work stoppage by members of the BDS chapter of the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys Local 2325 came after “months of intensive and good faith bargaining.”
The contract between the union and BDS expired at the end of June.
The public defense office represents over 40,000 people a year in Brooklyn and Queens who can’t afford private legal services. BDS supervisors will handle cases, she said.
Union demands include a higher wage floor for all staff, improved health insurance premiums, flexible remote work options and more paid-time-off, according to the Queens Eagle.
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