New America Employees Form Staff Union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kaitlin Bell, NPEU, kbell@npeu.org, 806-752-0529

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2020 - Today, a supermajority of eligible staff at New America, a nonpartisan public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C., requested voluntary recognition of their union, New America United (NAU). The union, which represents over 60 staff members across a wide range of roles, has affiliated with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU).

“We are all honored to work at New America and are deeply committed to its mission,” NAU’s organizing committee wrote in their letter requesting recognition. “We believe that a union is the best way to work towards the vision of New America we all hope to fulfill.”

The announcement marks the culmination of two years of organizing, during which staff shared their priorities for building a more equitable and supportive workplace. In particular, NAU aims to improve transparency with regards to pay and promotions; secure accessible, high-quality benefits for all employees in the long-term; and help drive forward the organization’s ongoing efforts to address organizational inequities related to race, gender, disability, and immigration status.

In their letter, NAU’s organizing committee pledged to work with New America’s leadership to develop collaborative, democratic governance structures within the organization, ensuring that all workers are able to thrive personally and professionally and helping the organization to embody its principles of equity, inclusion, and shared economic prosperity. “We are excited to begin the collective bargaining process and a new, more cooperative chapter in the path-breaking work that takes place every day at New America,” they wrote.

“We are excited to welcome New America United to NPEU,” said NPEU President Katie Barrows. “The staff at New America’s dedication to organizing and forming a union is an important step in building a better workplace. We look forward to management swiftly recognizing New America United.”

Follow New America United on Twitter at @NewAmericaUnite, and follow @NonprofitUnion for updates on other organizing campaigns.

About NPEU:

The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), a local of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, represents professionals employed at more than 48 nonprofit organizations and counting, including the Economic Policy Institute, Urban Institute, the Brookings Institution, 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.