Background: I’m employed as a concierge at a residential building in New York City. I’m a member of the local 32bj union and we are currently in year one of a three year collectively bargained contract with the management board.

So at work, there are cameras watching us. I understand this would be perfectly legal, except the cameras have microphones and audio can be heard when reviewing recorded footage. My understanding is that it is illegal in New York State to record employee audio and any evidence obtained via audio would be inadmissible in any disciplinary proceedings. Legality aside, I’m a bit pissed that my employer sees fit to surveil his workers in this way, even if he can’t (theoretically) use it against us.

What are my options to get this rectified? I could go to my union, in which case my boss would be well aware that one of his workers went and complained. I’m pretty sure he would be suspicious of me since him and I have clashed over his lack of adherence to our contract in the recent past. In that scenario, I’d fear retaliation. I could contact a lawyer, which may raise the stakes of the issue. Or I could deal with it, knowing that nothing I say on camera can (theoretically) be used against me. Maybe there’s a state agency I could contact anonymously.

Any advice?