Legal Service Workers’ Strike Targets Racism

NEW YORK CITY, February 5 – “Millionaire Wall Street lawyers on MFY’s [Mobilization for Youth] board…believe that only wealthy people deserve highly trained, experienced legal professionals and attorneys. We reject that vision. We are fighting for our clients!” That was the message from one paralegal as more than 200 workers and professionals braved frigid temperatures to picket MFY Legal Services. The 56 striking attorneys, paralegals, and secretaries from this office are represented by the Legal Services Staff Association (LSSA)/UAW Local 2320.
Funding for legal services for the poor, which includes housing and family court, bankruptcy, benefits for the elderly and many other issues, has been cut steadily since the 1990s. Federal support has decreased over 60 percent  since the 1980s. Most contact with clients is now by phone as demand for assistance has surged while resources have declined.
MFY is attacking the pay and benefits of the workers, but the cuts are really aimed at the poor and low-wage mostly Black, Latin and immigrant clients we serve. MFY’s staff and caseload have more than doubled in recent years, but its administrative support staff, all Black and brown women, has only grown from three to four people. They are demanding family leave, reduced workloads and pay-equity for the lowest-paid workers. They are also fighting to keep experienced staff while recruiting new Black, Latin and immigrant staff that more reflects those we serve.
Ultimately, we have to replace the racist profit system with communist revolution. Workers won’t need legal help to survive. There would no such thing as a poor worker. A good life for all workers will be the goal of society. From fighting for our clients to affirmative action in hiring to pay-equity for the lowest paid workers, this is a strike against racism with the potential to be a school for communism.