About 500 public defenders, social workers and other staff members at Brooklyn Defender Services are going on strike Thursday — a move that could cause disruptions in courtrooms across Brooklyn and Queens.
The union that represents attorneys and other non-management employees at the legal services organization voted almost unanimously to authorize a strike if they couldn’t reach an agreement on a new contract by Thursday morning. Brian Holbrook, a member of the negotiating committee, confirmed the strike and said members would be picketing virtually due to poor air quality.
Holbrook said the goal is to get back to work quickly “with a good contract.”
“ Our hope is that any strike would not have to be a prolonged one,” he said.
Brooklyn Defender Services Executive Director Lisa Schreibersdorf said management wants to reach a “swift and equitable solution” and that the organization’s top priority is to ensure that clients aren’t negatively impacted..
Brooklyn Defender Services provides free representation to many criminal defendants in Brooklyn and Queens. It also represents some parents in Brooklyn Family Court.
Holbrook said union members spoke with their clients ahead of the strike and prepared handoff materials to supervisors who will handle their cases while they are picketing. He said he expects some court appearances to be postponed during the work stoppage.
Brooklyn Defender Services employees are pushing for several measures in their new contract they say will reduce turnover and improve their ability to represent their clients. Holbrook said the union wants more sick time and the elimination of a location tracking app that requires employees to clock in and clock out. He said union members are also opposing a proposal from the organization to extend a probationary period, which allows management to fire or discipline new employees for any reason.
“ Every time an experienced staff person leaves, that means a client is having to get to know a whole new advocate or team. The lack of continuity, the revolving door effect is not good for clients,” Holbrook said. “That's kind of what we are centering in our contract fight for a sustainable workplace where people can make it their life's work if they want to.”
Schreibersdorf said the union and management have reached agreements on all aspects of the contract except whether certain employees can work from home. She said it’s necessary for “the proper running of our office” that support staff, including paralegals and maintenance workers, come in person every day. Management offered those employees an extra five days off each year in exchange, she said.
Several other legal services groups are currently negotiating contracts and considering going on strike, including the Bronx Defenders and Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem.
