By Daphne Assimakopoulos, Programs Associate for the Middle East and North Africa

​In the fall of 2018, a handful of staff members at PartnersGlobal started discussing what a union could look like in our workplace. We had ideas about how to improve workplace processes to make for a more equitable experience for staff across the organization in terms of pay, benefits, and policies. More importantly, we knew a union could be the vehicle needed to push our organization to live up to its values—a commitment to democracy and a culture of dialogue. ​

On October 30, 2019, 87% of workers overwhelmingly voted YES to form a union with OPEIU Local 2. The National Endowment for Democracy is an international grant making organization who works to strengthen democracy and governance around the world. Read more in the press release below. 

Employees at PartnersGlobal joined Local 2 as a newly organized unit on Monday, March 11th. Staff spent months building power among their colleagues before making a request for voluntary recognition in January. PartnersGlobal, based in Washington, DC, works internationally with grassroots organizations to fund sustainable peace-making efforts and to support local democratic initiatives.

A new piece by Devex highlights the movement to form a union at the National Democratic Institute in July 2018. NDI is an international development organization that works to strengthen democracy and governance around the world. Through their work, the organization supports labor unions globally. By having the opportunity to work with its union, management at NDI have an exciting opportunity to live out its commitment to democracy in its own workplace. Read the piece below. 

Yesterday, a majority of eligible staff members at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), voted to join the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2, in an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). “With their newly solidified rights on the job, these new union members will help NDI remain true to its democratic values at home as well as abroad,” said Jessica Maoirca, a Local 2 staff representative who helped guide NDI staff through the process.  

On February 1, 2017, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington's first contract officially went into effect, bringing stability and the opportunity to have a voice on the job in the workplace. Among other highlights, workers at PPMW bargained for a $6,000 increase to wage floors for incoming workers, bringing starting salaries up from around $31,000 annually. Additionally, they put in place a system where workers can no longer be let go without "just cause" and severance pay. To ensure entry-level staff have measurable goals to earn promotions, staff also worked to outline clearer paths to advancement within the organization. Congrats PPMW!