The committees of the LCCSA  and the CLSA have decided to urge their members to exercise their voices collectively and  join the trade union Unite.

The Committees believe that only the collective force of our numbers can make a critical difference in the fight for legal aid, for our professional futures and for the fair trial rights of our clients.

Legal aid has been described as the forgotten pillar of the welfare state. Unlike workers in the other pillars- health, education and social security -legal workers have not yet had a major union fighting for their pay and conditions on a large scale and in a way that is both professional and coordinated

The Law Society does important lobbying work and takes legal challenges to block unlawful decision making. The professional membership bodies and individual firms have been sounding the alarm for years about the devastating effect that cuts and lack of investment have had on the justice system.

In spite of these efforts, pressures on legal workers have increased whilst pay rates have stagnated or gone backwards. Recruitment, retention and the mental and physical health of lawyers and legal workers are at an all-time low.  This situation cannot continue.

The fight for access to justice and the wellbeing of all who strive to deliver it is too important not to take t to the Ministry of Justice and the LAA.

For this reason, the committees of the LCCSA and CLSA agreed to encourage firms to recognise and members to join unite the union so as to strengthen the collective voice and unity.

The decision to recommend Unite comes after months of consultation with trade unions. This was the best option because:

1. Unite has an established legal branch with funds to commit to our cause;
2. Unite is the largest trade union in the country - you would be joining millions of others;
3. Unite is focused on large scale wins and is hungry to succeed in the legal sector,  specifically for legal aid workers.
4. Unite is highly resourced and can offer organisers and campaign tools to help us speak directly to the Government.
5. Unite can coordinate industrial action if the membership, us, vote for it.

Join Unite today and fight for your jobs, your pay, your conditions and equal access to justice for all. Please do write to us to confirm you have joined so we know how successful this message has been and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the lead on our trade unions subcommittee, Zachary

Join Unite today and fight for your jobs, your pay, your conditions and equal access to justice for all.

Please do write to us to confirm you have joined so we know how successful this message has been and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the lead on our trade unions subcommittee, Zachary Whyte here: 07581520223.