Mobilization for Justice, Inc. Employees Declare Indefinite Strike

The unionized employees of Mobilization for Justice, Inc. (MFJ) last Friday voted to reject MFJ management's contract offer and declared an indefinite strike. The 110 unionized employees of the nonprofit legal services organization began picketing on Monday on the streets outside MFJ's Manhattan Office at 100 William Street. These union members are part of the Legal Services Staff Association (LSSA) 2320, a "wall-to-wall" union representing support staff, paralegals, attorneys, and other non-management employees. Founded in 1973, LSSA is a unit of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320, Region 9A.

The MFJ Union members are demanding a fair contract that will help retain and attract skilled legal workers so they can continue providing high-quality services to New Yorkers who are low-income, disenfranchised, or have disabilities. In particular, union members are calling for fair pay for all workers, improved healthcare benefits, increased work flexibility, and protections from unjust discipline. The MFJ Union developed these demands collectively to address the organization's ongoing staffing crisis. In the past year, MFJ lost an unprecedented 23 workers, and it is struggling to fill 17 vacant positions. As a result, the remaining staff members have seen their workloads grow and are dealing with burnout on top of losing an estimated 10% of real wages to inflation over the last three-year contract.  

"We are not asking for the moon - we are simply asking for fair pay, more flexible work hours, a strong healthcare and benefits plan, and protection for our most vulnerable members," said Nikita Salehi-Azhan, a Union Delegate and Staff Attorney in MFJ's Housing Project. "If we can secure these basic demands, we will achieve a contract that not only allows for staff to survive the exorbitant cost of living in NYC, but also allows them to build sustainable careers at MFJ." Follow the MFJ Union here for updates and picketing schedules!