Carly Coats, Children’s Law Center and UAW Local 2325 ALAA Staff Attorney and Bargaining Committee Member, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and announced CLC employees have gone on strike after management’s refusal to schedule further negotiations on an initial Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Coats explained that CLC is a voice for children who are the subjects of litigation, domestic violence and other potentially harmful situations. Their employees represent children in the family courts and New York Supreme Courts. These men and women speak directly to the children about their situation and how they can best be helped.
Three years ago CLC employees became overworked and decided to unionize, Coats said. Since then, they have attempted to negotiate their first contract with the management. Now, two years have passed since the vote to organize and employees are still without representation. During talks, CLC representatives have heard demeaning comments from management, which offered only one counter offer that fell far below expectations.
She explained that CLC employees voted to strike after their demands were not met and management refused to schedule additional bargaining sessions. Now, employees are on the picket line fighting for their rights instead of inside a courtroom fighting for the rights of children.
Listen to the entire episode: