Staff at Queens Defenders Hold Virtual Rally to Support Fired Colleagues

Public defenders and social workers at Queens Defenders represented by UAW 2325 got a boost from local elected officials and supporters who joined them for a virtual rally Wednesday.

“From the moment staff at Queens Defenders announced their intention to join ALAA, Queens Defenders management engaged in blatant and concerted efforts to interfere with their right to organize,” said Association of Legal Aid Attorneys - UAW Local 2325 President Lisa Ohta. “We will spare no expense and stop at nothing to ensure justice is achieved for these workers.” Read more in the Queens Eagle.

Staff at Queens Defenders learned last week of the summary firing of two colleagues in apparent retaliation for their union activities. Queens Defenders Executive Director Lori Zeno terminated both employees in the midst of a union drive at the organization as employees were returning union election ballots to the National Labor Relations Board. QD attorneys and social workers regard this action as an illegal and immoral attempt to intimidate employees against organizing and forming a union. Continue to follow @alaa2325 and @qdunion for updates!