Washington, DC— The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), IFPTE Local 70, are proud to announce the ratification of their first collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The agreement marks a new chapter of collaboration and shared commitment to advancing civil rights while continuing to ensure a workplace that supports the well-being and dignity of the entire Lawyers’ Committee staff.
The new CBA reflects the hard work of both the union and management, who came together to find common ground on shared priorities, including pay, health and safety, professional development, and diversity, equity and inclusion. The agreement represents a step forward in building a stronger, more united workplace focused on advocating for justice and equality.
Lawyers’ Committee United’s bargaining committee expressed their pride in the outcome: “This agreement is a testament to the strength and perseverance of the Lawyers’ Committee staff, who have been unwavering in their commitment to achieving fair working conditions. We believe this contract reflects the values we fight for every day and strengthens our ability to serve the public. We look forward to continuing to work with management to advance our shared mission.”
Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee, said, “This agreement signals an institutional commitment to our employees and builds upon our ongoing efforts to invest in our people so that we can deliver meaningful impact for the communities we serve. It is also a reflection of our organization’s values and our commitment to advancing racial justice inside of our organization, just as we do beyond our walls. Through this agreement, the Lawyers’ Committee is taking proactive steps to ensure that the voices of our staff members play an important role in that critical work. I commend the dedication and hard work of the staff and management collective bargaining teams throughout the negotiation process.
Key highlights from the new agreement include:
- An enhanced pay scale with a new salary floor and annual salary increases, building upon substantial increases in recent years.
- Newly introduced flex time policy and provisions regarding hybrid and remote work for staff.
- Increased paid time off, including paid family and medical leave, annual leave, holidays, sick time, and bereavement leave.
- Codified strong benefits with 100% employer-paid health, dental and vision premiums for employees.
- Monthly stipends for commuting, cell phone use, and home office.
For more information, please contact:
Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), IFPTE Local 70
Valeria Mejia-Guevara, Vice President of Communications, vmejiaguevara@npeu.org
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
Lacy Crawford, Communications Manager–Earned Media lcrawford@lawyerscommittee.org
About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to mobilize the nation’s leading lawyers as agents for change in the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real. The Lawyers’ Committee implements its mission and objectives by marshaling the pro bono resources of the bar for litigation, public policy, advocacy and other forms of service by lawyers to the cause of civil rights.
About the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), IFPTE Local 70
The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), a local of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, represents professionals employed at more than 50 nonprofit organizations. With thousands of members, NPEU gives nonprofit workers a voice to strengthen their workplaces and continue to do work that makes a difference in people’s lives.