(NEW YORK, NY - November 5, 2021) - Today, the management and Board of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund announced its intent to voluntarily recognize a TLDEF employees union using a neutral card-check process for voluntary recognition. The recently-formed Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation (ULWT) is represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) – UAW Local 2325.

On October 20th, ALAA notified TLDEF that employees had chosen to unionize. TLDEF’s management responded positively, expressing its intent to support the union drive that same day. On October 21st, TLDEF’s Board unanimously endorsed the employees’ choice to form a union. In less than a week, TLDEF and ALAA worked out a Voluntary Recognition Process Agreement and will soon be completing the card-check for official recognition of the Union.

Both TLDEF and ALAA believe that zealous, timely, and holistic representation of our legal clients are common goals and have agreed to work together toward reaching a collective bargaining agreement as thoughtfully and expeditiously as possible.

“TLDEF is committed to supporting our talented and growing team who are at the heart of our organization’s success. We have enthusiastically and voluntarily recognized our employees’ intent to unionize and look forward to a constructive collective bargaining process that results in reaching agreements in good faith and aligns with TLDEF’s values of fairness and equity,” said Andy Marra, TLDEF’s Executive Director.

“We congratulate the staff of TLDEF on coming together to form a union. We look forward to working together closely with TLDEF to reach a collective bargaining agreement which will strengthen the trans liberation movement and amplify the work of our members,” said Lisa Ohta, President of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys.

About TLDEF
Founded in 2003, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through impact litigation, direct legal services, public policy, and public education efforts.

About ALAA – UAW Local 2325
Representing over 2,700 members the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys – UAW Local 2325 is the oldest union of attorneys and legal advocates in the United States. Its membership is comprised of workers at public defender and public interest legal organizations including the Legal Aid Society, Bronx Defenders, Neighborhood Defender Service, Queens Defenders, Brooklyn Defender Service and the Office of the Appellate Defender.