JUFJ Union Ratifies First Contract
Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) employees who joined the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union in late 2019 as JUFJ Union recently ratified their first union contract. Highlights from JUFJ’s contract are included below.
Equitable Pay: JUFJ has a new wage floor of $45,000 in an employee’s first year and an automatic increase to $48,000 beginning their second year. Additionally, JUFJ Union secured 2 percent annual wage increases to cover cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), 1.5-2.5 percent annual merit-based raises on a progressive scale, a standardized timeline for annual reviews and raises, and a ratification bonus of $3,000 to each unit member.
Comp Time: During weekdays, JUFJ employees will accrue one hour of comp time for every hour over 45 hours per week. During weekends, one hour of comp time will be accrued for every hour of pre-approved weekend work.
Paid Leave: JUFJ employees are guaranteed 12 weeks of guaranteed paid parental leave and employees will be able to keep five sick days and five vacation days upon their return. For family caregiving leave, employees are guaranteed six weeks of paid leave and employees will be able to keep five sick days and five vacation days upon their return. Additionally, the new contract provides for a new sick leave bank for extended personal medical leave that will lengthen the amount of paid time off employees are able to take for illness or injury and employees will be able to keep five vacation days upon their return.
Job Descriptions: All employees will have clearly defined job descriptions, including part-time and temporary employees.
Disciplinary Procedures: The contract establishes consistent progressive disciplinary procedures, with reasonable expectations and timelines to improve before disciplinary action is taken.
Democracy and Transparency: JUFJ will inform and consult with the union about major organizational decisions, including working conditions and hiring. A new Labor Management Committee will also be established to regularly discuss organizational policies.
“We are appreciative of JUFJ’s collaborative spirit throughout negotiations. This contract will create more sustainable working conditions for our employees and strengthen JUFJ’s ability to achieve our mission. Moreover, it will serve as a model for other nonprofit workplaces to create caring, powerful, and equitable organizations to better serve our movements for justice,” said the JUFJ Union Bargaining Committee.