LOS ANGELES, January 15, 2020 — Reflecting a growing trend of unionization among the nation’s over twelve million non-profit employees, Jobs to Move America (JMA) employees and management announced today that they have signed a voluntary agreement recognizing the formation of a staff union at the organization. JMA staff is joining the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), IFPTE Local 70.
JMA is a national strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior throughout the U.S., with offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Birmingham, Alabama. JMA uses a comprehensive approach to social change that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. JMA seeks to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all.
“We, the JMA staff members, are motivated by love and respect for JMA’s mission and history, as well as our own commitment to advancing democracy in every workplace. We’re proud to be part of a wave of advocacy and non-profit employees across the country who are strengthening their workplaces by forming unions,” said JMA staff member Mo-Yain Tham. “We’re glad that JMA is setting a strong example for the kind of equitable workplace that we advocate for in the private sector and look forward to working with JMA leadership on a first contract that reflects those values.
“We are proud that our staff is joining NPEU and hope that our action will catalyze other nonprofits to unionize to build strong and inclusive workforces. At JMA, we believe in practicing what we preach and showing that we deeply value our employees. A healthy workforce is a healthy organization, and this reflects JMA’s vision of a clean, and worker-centered economy and environment,” said JMA Executive Director Madeline Janis.
“We are so excited to have the staff of JMA join our union,” said NPEU President Kayla Blado. “As unionized staff, JMA employees will more formally participate in decisions that affect their organization and create a work environment that celebrates workers. We welcome them!”
The union was unanimously supported by eligible staff as demonstrated by the request for voluntary recognition.
JMA and NPEU members will now work to collectively bargain a union contract.
About Nonprofit Professional Employees Union:
The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) represents professionals employed at over a dozen nonprofit organizations, including employees at the 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. For more information about NPEU, visit https://npeu.org/.
About Jobs to Move America:
Jobs to Move America works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all.