Our union has received several inquiries from nonprofit workers who want to organize a union at their workplace, but are a little apprehensive about organizing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a valid concern, and something that our union’s leadership has been discussing internally as well as with our active organizing campaigns. While fear as a result of economic and health uncertainty remains a real concern, this crisis also underlines why having a union remains the best tool to create stability in a workplace.

Organizing a union can be intimidating, especially during uncertain times. Fundamentally, the act of forming a union is about demanding power and respect. However, the dominant cultural narrative is that this process is somehow inherently confrontational, and that workers should wait until rosier times to stand up for themselves. No one wants to feel like they are unnecessarily rocking the boat when the seas are already rough. These kinds of feelings are certainly understandable, but we think that workers always deserve a voice, particularly when times are tough.

NPEU is thoughtfully moving ahead with new organizing in this environment for one simple reason: all workers, including nonprofit workers, deserve to have a seat at the table. Workers deserve a mechanism for exercising their collective voice when important decisions are being made about their working conditions and the overall direction of their organizations. Through a collective bargaining agreement, workers and their bosses can put transparent processes in place that will help get them through the rough times, while planning ahead for better days.

As difficult decisions are made during this crisis, we know workers will be well-served by having discussions with management in an environment that is based on collaboration and a shared sense of responsibility and power. Often, the main reasons for organizing at nonprofits are not financial. Sure, we all want to be compensated fairly for our work, but we also want more transparency, internal equity, and participatory decision making. With a union, staff can build a platform to meaningfully participate in decision-making processes that would otherwise be opaque and closed to their input.

At every NPEU bargaining unit, our members approach contract bargaining with the intention to strengthen their organization and invest in its mission. We want to build workplaces that are sustainable in the long-term and where staff can thrive for many years to come. Democratic processes are essential for nonprofits to navigate challenging times and a collective bargaining agreement is the only effective way to build these structures.

Moving forward, our organizing will be attuned to the unprecedented emotional and economic moment in which we find ourselves. Our discussions will be framed by people’s day-to-day needs, the awareness of financial pressures on our organizations, and we’ll be inclusive of those who may be apprehensive of moving forward during this time. But we know that moving forward with organizing is the right thing to do, and building a culture of solidarity is especially valuable when staff may be working from home, facing increased family care responsibilities, an uncertain financial future, elevated health risks, or dealing with levels of increased anxiety.

The best resource we have to protect each other during these times is our solidarity and our ability to build consensus. As long as we can trust each other and remain united, we can overcome whatever challenges we encounter.

NPEU President Kayla Blado

NPEU Secretary-Treasurer Ethan Miller

NPEU Vice President of Representation Paul Jones

NPEU Vice President of Communications Katie Barrows

NPEU Organizer Dan Essrow