The Staff of the Groundwork Collaborative Unionize

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2020 - The staff of the Groundwork Collaborative have unionized with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) as Groundwork Collaborative Union, after winning formal, voluntary recognition from management. 

The Groundwork Collaborative is an organization that focuses on working with economic policy experts, progressive movement leaders, and activists to advance an economy that gives everyone the opportunity to prosper. Groundwork fosters new ideas, develops new pathways to share information, breaks down issue silos, and amplifies and aids progressive work on critical economic issue campaigns.

The following is a statement from Groundwork Collaborative Union:

“We are confident that unionizing is in line with Groundwork’s mission and vision of an economy that delivers real opportunity, security, and prosperity for all. In unionizing, we look forward to working with management in our shared commitment to make Groundwork the best and most effective organization it can be. We are eager to enter the next phase in Groundwork’s organizational growth and development together. The Groundwork Collaborative Union was proud to sign the voluntary recognition agreement today, and is excited to promptly begin a productive negotiation process with management.”

"The Groundwork Collaborative's mission is to advance an inclusive, progressive vision of an economy in which all people can prosper and thrive,” said Groundwork Collaborative Executive Director Michael Linden. “A core part of that vision is a more equitable distribution of power, including power for workers in all kinds of workplaces. With that vision in mind, we are proud to have voluntarily recognized the Groundwork Collaborative Union today."

“Congratulations to the Groundwork Collaborative staff for forming their union,” said NPEU President Kayla Blado. “We’re excited to see nonprofit employees living their organizations’ values and creating stronger workplaces, and we welcome Groundwork Collaborative Union to NPEU.”

This is the sixth group of nonprofit employees to join NPEU in the last two weeks, following the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, J Street, Pittsburgh United, National Women’s Law Center, and National Immigration Law Center. NPEU continues to organize in these uncertain times because all workers deserve a voice in the workplace and the stability that comes with a union.

About NPEU:

The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) is a local of IFPTE and 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.