The Open Markets Institute Staff Joins Growing Movement of Nonprofit Unionization

Contacts:
Katie Barrows, Nonprofit Professional Employees Union: kbarrows@npeu.org, (360) 624-6936 
Nidhi Hegde, Open Markets Chief Operating Officer: hegde@openmarketsinstitute.org

Washington, D.C., March 2, 2020 — Open Markets Institute (OMI) management and staff, announced today that they have signed a voluntary agreement recognizing the formation of a staff union. The newly organized Union of Open Markets Staff joins the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 70. As the 20th group of nonprofit employees to join NPEU and the third group this year, the OMI staff adds to growing trend of nonprofit employees forming unions to democratize their workplace and ensure all voices within an organization are heard. 

“The Union of Open Markets Staff is deeply committed to our organization's mission to expose the stranglehold that monopolies have over our economy and democracy. Open Markets espouses small 'r' civic republican values, and organizing to form a union is about leading with these values. We strive to promote an equal voice on the job for all workers in the interests of the long-term success of our organization, and as a matter of solidarity with our fellow non-profit workers,” said OMI Research Associate and union member Udit Thakur.

"The fight for workers rights is a critical pillar of the broader fight against concentrated private power and for democracy. Open Markets has long supported and worked closely with unions in our mission to combat inequality and promote individual liberty and dignity. We are proud to embrace these values within our organization and support the formation of a staff union with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). The Open Markets Institute has become a leading voice on antimonopoly policy because of the ability of talented and passionate individuals to fight as a team. We look forward to working together to build an even stronger institution and further advance our mission,” said Barry Lynn, Executive Director of the Open Markets Institute.

The creation of a union directly supports OMI’s work to create democratic communities and empower individuals, and the organization is proud to have voluntarily recognized its staff union. 

“We are excited to welcome the Union of Open Markets Staff to NPEU,” said NPEU President Kayla Blado. “More and more nonprofit employees are unionizing to have a say in their workplace and make real gains in terms of pay, benefits, and working conditions. We are looking forward to supporting the OMI staff as they negotiate their first union contract. ”

Next, Union of Open Markets Staff will sit down with OMI management and negotiate a union contract. 

About the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union: 

The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) represents professionals employed at 20 nonprofit organizations and counting, including employees at the 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. For more information about NPEU, visit www.npeu.org.