Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Staff Unionize
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Katie Barrows, NPEU, kbarrows@npeu.org, 360-624-6936
WASHINGTON, April 13, 2020 - The staff at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law have joined together in union with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) to form Lawyers’ Committee United. The union has asked Lawyers’ Committee management for voluntary recognition.
The following is a statement from Lawyers’ Committee United on why they are unionizing:
“We, the staff of the Lawyers’ Committee, are proud to be part of one of the country’s leading civil rights organizations, whose mission aligns with our own desires to combat various oppressive structures that affect people of color. We believe in our organization’s mission, in the work we do, and in each other. Driven by our values, we come to work every day to fight for a more just society and a better life for our loved ones and neighbors.
We believe that the principles and values that we promote and defend through our work should govern our workplace as well: justice, equity, transparency, cooperation, and respect. To that end, we have decided to create a body to represent, support, engage, and empower all staff at the Lawyers’ Committee.
By empowering the Lawyers’ Committee workforce through a union, we will strengthen our work and amplify our national impact in securing civil rights under law. We believe that our collective advocacy for improvements to our employment conditions will ensure the Lawyers’ Committee’s future success as an employer and civil rights organization operating in harmony with its values.”
Follow Lawyers’ Committee United on Twitter at @LCUnitedUnion for continued updates on recognition of their union.
NPEU looks forward to a quick recognition of Lawyers’ Committee United and collaborative negotiations for a first union contract. Although the coronavirus pandemic has created economic and health uncertainty, NPEU is thoughtfully moving ahead with new organizations in this environment for one simple reason: all workers, including nonprofit workers, deserve to have a seat at the table. Uncertainty is a crucial time to ensure employees are protected and represented.
About NPEU:
The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) represents professionals employed at more than 20 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.
About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Now in its 56th year, the Lawyers’ Committee is continuing its quest to “Move America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of voting rights, criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and hate crimes. For more information, please visit https://lawyerscommitee.org.