How our members are improving their legal professions
Securing higher pay and better benefits
As union members, legal professionals have a say in their pay and benefits. Many of our members have negotiated for salary scales, minimum salaries, and annual wage increases to ensure they earn a fair return on their work. They also know the importance of quality healthcare coverage and retirement benefits. IFPTE members have secured better quality healthcare plans, retirement plans with bigger employer contributions, and more paid time off, including generous family leave policies.
Promoting work-life balance
We know from our members that legal professionals are often overwhelmed by large caseloads and end up working extra hours to keep on top of their work. These types of workloads are not sustainable and lead to burnout, as well as turnover. IFPTE members have negotiated for workplace policies to help foster better work-life balance, including comp time, workload and capacity check-ins with supervisors, and flexible work schedules. Many of our members have also negotiated for sabbatical leave to be used after many years of service at their organizations. Additionally, our members utilize their Labor Management Committees - committees composed of union and management representatives that address workplace issues - to work with management on staffing needs and other policies that impact workloads.
Standing up for professionalism
Our members are committed to preserving the integrity of their professions. As union members, they have a voice in their workplaces to advocate for professional standards and ensure legal occupations continue to be good careers in the future. IFPTE members who serve as judges for the Social Security Administration rely on the principle of judicial independence to do their jobs and serve society. With their union, they are able to defend this principle and uphold the integrity of the administrative judiciary.
