Jews United for Justice Unionizes with NPEU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Katie Barrows, NPEU, 360-624-6936, kbarrows@npeu.org

Sam Baltimore, JUFJ, 202-408-1423 ext.9, sam@jufj.org

WASHINGTON, December 4, 2019 - Today, the employees of Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) announced they are unionizing with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). JUFJ management has voluntarily recognized its staff’s union.

JUFJ is a nonprofit organization that focuses on advancing economic, racial, and social justice in the Baltimore-Washington region by educating and mobilizing local Jewish communities to action. The JUFJ union was inspired by the Jewish values that shape JUFJ, including that all people should be treated with dignity and respect, because we are all created in the divine image. 

“We have campaigned for the rights of all workers in Maryland and DC, including nonprofit employees,” said Rianna Lloyd, JUFJ worker and NPEU member. “We know the importance of keeping dedicated, talented people on the job, and in negotiations we are going to focus on the well-being of JUFJ staff. We want to create a work environment that workers want to stay in.”

“Powerful relationships and partnerships built on mutual respect are the foundation of how JUFJ works,'' said Jacob Feinspan, JUFJ Executive Director. "I'm excited to collaborate with the union to further strengthen the staff partnership within our organization, and build on the long Jewish tradition of proud support for organized labor.”

The union was unanimously supported by eligible staff, as counted and certified by long-time progressive DC activist, DC for Democracy steering committee member, and JUFJ ally Keshini Ladduwahetty.

“We’re proud to welcome JUFJ to the union!” said NPEU President Kayla Blado. “We know that organizations become stronger when their staff has a union, and look forward to working with them to build a better JUFJ.”

The JUFJ Union will now work with management to collectively bargain a union contract. JUFJ staff are focused on ensuring transparency and equity in pay and workloads, and establishing clear procedures for feedback and discipline.

About NPEU:

The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) represents professionals employed at over a dozen nonprofit organizations, including employees at Economic Policy Institute, the Center for American Progress, and Community Change. With several hundred members, NPEU gives nonprofit workers a voice to strengthen their workplaces and continue to do work that makes a difference in people’s lives.