WASHINGTON – Today, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee) voluntarily recognized the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) as the collective bargaining representative of the 46 staff members at the organization. The staff’s union, LC United, was certified after a card-check confirmed majority support for the union.
“At the Lawyers’ Committee, our decades-long track record reflects a commitment to defending the right of Black workers and other workers of color to work with dignity, equity and respect,” stated Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee. “Most certainly, labor organizing has figured prominently in our nation’s long struggle for racial justice. We are pleased to voluntarily recognize LC United and look forward to working together to make sure our organization is in the best position to address the nation’s pressing racial justice and civil rights challenges.”
LC United represents a broad unit of staff and professional employees at the organization. The parties will soon begin negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement.
“Every day, the Lawyers’ Committee staff works hard to protect the civil rights of our country’s most vulnerable populations. We are excited to be recognized and work with management to ensure better workplace protections and conditions for our deserving and dedicated staff,” said the LC United organizing committee.
“Congratulations to the members of LC United and welcome to NPEU!” said NPEU President Kayla Blado. “After months of organizing and collaborating with management to certify their union, the staff union has been formally recognized. We’re excited to support them as they exercise their workplace rights and negotiate a strong first union contract!”
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About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of voting rights, criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and hate crimes. For more information, please visit https://lawyerscommittee.org.
The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) is a local of IFPTE and represents professionals employed at more than 30 nonprofit organizations, including employees at 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.
