For Immediate Release
Union Statement On The Unjust Termination And Disparate Treatment Of Sophia Gurulé
The Bronx Defenders Union (BxD Union) condemns in the strongest terms the unjust dismissal of Sophia Gurulé, our deeply respected union sibling, immigration attorney and union leader, who was terminated from The Bronx Defenders (BxD) on June 27, 2025, following an abrupt suspension and without any prior disciplinary record in her nearly eight years of service.
Sophia’s unwavering dedication to immigrant communities—combining sharp legal advocacy with community-centered compassionate organizing—has profoundly shaped and strengthened our office and the lives of thousands. She served on the first and second union bargaining committees (2020–2022; 2024), held the office of Vice President of Membership in 2023, and was a Trustee and Executive Board member of ALAA–UAW Local 2325 (2024–2025). She represented her coworkers in grievances, testified as a union witness at BxD’s first arbitration, and regularly spoke truth to power in defense of BxD workers and BxD Union. Her termination rises to the level of a blatant act of union busting, designed to silence a powerful voice for fairness and justice and discourage other workers from vigorously engaging in union activity. Indeed, BxD’s targeting of Sophia is a shameful inflection point in a noticeable pattern of union-busting activity by BxD management, characterized by unjust discipline, including termination, of numerous workers.
We are unwaveringly in solidarity with Sophia. Already, BxD Union has filed a grievance, submitted charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and delivered numerous letters of support and petitions—signed by nearly 1,000 workers—calling for Sophia’s immediate reinstatement. BxD Union has yet to receive a response to those letters and petitions. Sophia’s case is headed to arbitration, expected no sooner than late October, despite the fact that a September date was offered by the arbitrator and accepted by the Union. BXD management declined that proposed timeline and waited over two weeks to convey their declination to the parties. These actions appear to be deliberate delay tactics meant to be punitive.
Equally reprehensible is BxD’s decision to terminate Sophia’s healthcare coverage around August 15, 2025 — fifteen days earlier than her termination letter specified. That letter explicitly stated that her benefits would continue through August 31, 2025. By cutting coverage around August 15 instead, management violated their own written commitment—denying Sophia essential protection during what should have been an orderly transition. This action not only strips her of agreed-upon benefits and protections, but also strikes us as a clear act of intimidation, aimed at discouraging her from exercising her rights through the arbitration process. Such tactics weaponize healthcare against workers, sending a chilling message to all union members who dare to hold management accountable.
After Sophia and the union raised this violation, BxD management responded only this morning—just two business days before the end of the month—stating that her coverage would be reinstated through August 31. Yet even in this response, management admitted the update could take up to 24 hours to reflect, meaning Sophia may not see her insurance restored until the very end of the month. In practice, this left her nearly two weeks completely uninsured, forcing the cancellation of her medical appointments, interruptions to her prescriptions, and an increase in the out-of-pocket cost of her therapy. Even now, her Beniversal benefit card is showing as invalid, further restricting her access to care. At best, she will receive a single day of functional coverage before the cutoff. Such a belated and inadequate response demonstrates not good faith, but deliberate delay tactics and punitive decision-making designed to intimidate and retaliate against a worker asserting her rights.
Sophia’s termination is not merely unfair—it is received as a violent act against a steadfast defender of our most vulnerable communities. To undermine a woman who has devoted eight years of her life to the Bronx and to protecting immigrant New Yorkers without remorse or forethought is unconscionable.
Let us be clear: An injury to one of us is an injury to all of us. We demand:
- The immediate reinstatement of Sophia Gurulé to her rightful position, with full restoration of her healthcare benefits.
- A public apology from BxD for their retaliatory actions and for breaking their own written commitments.
- An end to union-busting tactics, including blatant disregard for the tenets of just cause and unfair terminations of other BxD workers, and a reaffirmation of the right to organize and advocate for justice.
Until justice is honored, our union—and all who believe in equity and dignity—will fight with every tool at our disposal. We call on our union siblings, allies, community partners, and supporters of immigrant and labor rights to stand with us, to raise your voices, and to support Sophia and all workers in this critical fight.
BxD Union
Association for Legal Advocates and Attorneys (ALAA) – UAW Local 2325
August 28, 2025
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