Justice Delayed, Not Denied: Tentative Agreement Saves Legal Aid from Strike

A planned strike by more than 1,100 attorneys at The Legal Aid Society for July 25, 2025, has been put on hold after the union and management reached a tentative contract agreement.
Awaiting Union Ratification
The deal was struck just in time, two days before the attorneys’ scheduled walkout. These legal professionals, represented by the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys – UAW Local 2325, have been advocating for improved compensation, reduced caseloads, stronger retirement security, and better job protections since their last agreement ended in June.
Negotiations previously hit an impasse, leading the union to nullify the existing collective agreement and announce a strike threat. Members will now decide whether to approve the agreement next week.
Important Steps Forward, But More to Do
Union president Jane Fox described the proposed contract as a crucial victory, especially regarding workload protections, parental leave, and the introduction of a student loan fund. Still, she criticized the unresolved issues on pay and pensions, blaming the city and Legal Aid management. Fox underscored the inclusion of a contract reopener in 2026, giving the union another shot at negotiations next year.
Comments from Leadership
Legal Aid Society CEO Twyla Carter welcomed the deal, highlighting that uninterrupted legal services for New Yorkers in need can now continue. Carter admitted, though, that low pay is an enduring issue due to prolonged underfunding.
Deanna Logan, director of the Mayor’s Office for Criminal Justice, echoed support for the attorneys and the tentative resolution, emphasizing the importance of stability in the justice system.
Budget Shortfalls Persist for Legal Aid
While the city allocated an additional $20 million for legal services funding this year, those on the front lines contend it’s not enough to meet rising service demand. Advocates are urging Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council to allocate more funding, as caseloads and staff shortages continue to mount.
If the strike had gone forward, it would have devastated legal aid for thousands of New Yorkers. Although some tentative agreements exist elsewhere, walkouts among smaller legal aid teams have already begun in several boroughs.