FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(July 25, 2026)
DETROIT, MI — Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is issuing the following clarification to resolve questions regarding the current work stoppage in Wayne County:
NDS Employees Are Independent, Not County Staff: NDS is an independent, private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that contracts with Wayne County to provide public defense. All personnel participating in the strike are private nonprofit employees. No Wayne County civil service public defenders, county attorneys, court clerks, or county staff are on strike. Wayne County’s internal operations remain completely unaffected.
Stewarding a Transformative Public Investment: We remain deeply grateful for County Executive Warren Evans’ vision and foresight in integrating holistic public defense into Wayne County’s justice system. By utilizing an independent nonprofit model, Wayne County established an advocacy system free from institutional conflicts of interest. NDS’s sole funding comes from public dollars, and our fundamental responsibility is to steward these taxpayer funds—and the strict guidelines that govern them—responsibly and well.
Two Fair, Choice-Based Healthcare Proposals are on the Table: The dispute is primarily focused on a proposed change to the healthcare plans NDS offers. Currently, NDS pays 100% of healthcare premiums with zero in-network deductibles and zero co-insurance. To manage rising benefit costs within our strict public funding limits, NDS has offered the union two separate, choice-based structures: Under one option for NDS employees, NDS is introducing paycheck premium-sharing (amounting to just $12.93 per pay period for an individual PPO plan) or an employer-paid premium plan with a deductible and accompanying HSA. The union may also choose to maintain their current no-cost sharing plan.
Both proposals are highly competitive, both increase employee take-home pay, and both provide zero in-network deductibles and zero co-insurance healthcare options. NDS respects the right of employees to strike and remains committed to bargaining in good faith with ALAA/UAW Local 2325. We stand ready to return to the bargaining table immediately and we remain focused on reaching a fair and sustainable agreement while ensuring uninterrupted legal representation for our clients.
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