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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sophia Gurulé, Trustee and Constitutional Officer of Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (UAW Local 2325)
4:04:21
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57 sec
Sophia Gurulé, representing the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (UAW Local 2325), testifies about the need for increased funding for legal services workers, particularly for the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP). She emphasizes the importance of fair wages and benefits for legal aid workers in the face of New York City's high cost of living.
- Advocates for doubling NYIFUP funding from $5,530,000 to $11,060,000 per organization
- Highlights the connection between workers' conditions and community well-being
- Stresses the role of legal aid workers in fighting for justice and equity for poor and working-class New Yorkers
Sophia Gurulé
4:04:21
We are bargaining to increase salaries to keep pace with agencies such as the federal defenders and attorney general's office to retain experienced legal services worker workers.
4:04:30
The bottom line is our salaries are just too low and the cost of living in the city is just too high.
4:04:35
We are not, as UAW workers, immune to the affordability crisis in this city.
4:04:40
Two three two five's demands to increase workers wages and benefits necessarily includes funding knife up to the fullest extent possible.
4:04:47
We support our knife up employers request to double Knife Up funding from 5,530,000.00 per organization to 11,060,000.00 per organization.
4:04:56
In fact, we are proud to testify alongside them today for the shared purpose of funding essential legal services workers to defend immigrant New Yorkers.
4:05:03
When workers' working conditions thrive, the community thrives.
4:05:06
This is why we're testifying here today, to do what we do every day in New York City's courts and beyond, fight for poor and working class New Yorkers to make this city more just, more equitable, and a place for all people to thrive.
4:05:17
Thank you.