SSN Union Ratifies First Contract, Secures Pay Increases and Improved Transparency
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kaitlin Bell, NPEU, kbell@npeu.org, 806-752-0529
The members of the Scholars Strategy Network Union have ratified a collective bargaining agreement with Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) management. This agreement is the first union contract for employees of SSN, who formed a union with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) in August 2020.
“The Scholars Strategy Network Union is excited to announce the ratification of our first contract. We are proud to deliver on the priorities of our unit, and our contract reflects our commitment to fair pay, improved working conditions, and clear expectations for career progression and job duties,” said the SSN Union Bargaining Team. “We believe in the mission of SSN, and that the continued democratization of our workplace will only help us achieve our goals.”
The newly ratified contract raises pay for all employees, lays out a clear career progression, improves workplace transparency and communication, and raises the salary floor. Contract highlights include:
Guaranteed 3% pay increases each year
Establishment of a Labor Management Committee to foster management-staff communication
Provisions to encourage an equitable and transparent hiring process
$56,000 salary floor for program staff / $50,000 salary floor for administrative staff
Guaranteed 5% retirement contribution with no match required
$50 a month remote work stipend
Severance in the event of layoff or workforce reduction
“Congratulations to SSN staff on the ratification of a strong, first union contract,” said NPEU President Katie Barrows. “Throughout the organizing and collective bargaining process, NPEU members at SSN have stood together to create a more democratic and equitable workplace, and I’m excited they have secured a contract that will raise standards at SSN and beyond.”
About NPEU:
The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), a local of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, represents professionals employed at 49 organizations in Washington, DC and across the country. 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 Scholars Strategy Network:
The Scholars Strategy Network is a federated non-profit organization that brings together scholars, policy actors, and journalists with the goal of promoting the use of research and evidence to improve policy and strengthen democracy.