Catholic Migration Services Union Holds Historic First Picket in Fight for Second Contract

Members of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (UAW Local 2325) who work at Catholic Migration Services (CMS) held lunch time pickets in front of the organization's offices in Brooklyn on July 9 and Queens on July 11 as part of their fight for a fair second contract. CMS is a not-for-profit legal services provider affiliated with Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.

Management has so far refused to agree to the workers' demands of a one-year contract with livable wages after their first contract expired July 1, so the union's members organized the first-ever picket of CMS offices. Despite being a small shop of only 32 members, the pickets drew overwhelming community support.

Most of the workers at both offices participated and were joined by their clients, their families and children, UAW union siblings from other shops, members of other unions, tenant leaders, several elected officials, UAW staff, and of course, Scabby. Elected officials this week also supported the union members by sending a letter to CMS Legal Director Magdalena Barbosa calling on her to bargain in good faith to ensure that employees receive livable wages, sufficient retirement and commuter benefits, and a one-year contract that will allow them to benefit from significant funding opportunities and workplace improvements projected for 2025. Follow the CMS Union on Instagram for updates!