(NEW YORK CITY) - Members of The Bronx Defenders Union-United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2325 (BxD Union) have voted to ratify a historic two-year contract with their Public Defender Non-Profit employer - one month and a day after Workers voted for Strike Authorization.

There were 92% of BxD Union Members who participated in the ratification vote, with a resounding 91% of those voting to approve the new contract, Union Officials said.

The old agreement expired at the beginning of July after months of management stonewalling negotiations with Staff.

This new contract victory agreement was secured just days before a Strike deadline, in which BxD Union’s Collective Bargaining Committee had authorized an unlimited Strike based on a number of Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs), including retaliation, unilaterally changing employment terms and more.

Wins include 8% to 10% salary increases for Bronx Defenders Workers - formerly the lowest-paid Public Defenders in New York City, and other hard-fought provisions like Free Speech Protections.

Additionally, the deal includes a one-year salary reopener with a right to Strike and an expiration date that aligns with Association of Legal Aid Attorneys-UAW Local 2325 contracts at Brooklyn Defender Services and Neighborhood Defender Services, queuing up some 800 Workers to Strike in 2026.

“It took each and every Worker to make this contract possible and we salute the BxD Union Membership for their tireless advocacy in defense of the Bronx,” said Babatunde Aremu, who serves as Chapter Chair of the BxD Union. “We look forward to joining sectoral bargaining negotiations with our fellow New York City Legal Services Workers in both 2025 and 2026 as we aim to make the City more equitable and just for all New Yorkers.”