Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 12 President Kelsie Anderson joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed recent contracts the Local successfully negotiated for nonprofit organizations and the need for nonprofit employees to earn a livable wage with good benefits while pursuing their organization’s mission statement.
Local 12, with a membership of just over 2,500, covers Minnesota and parts North Dakota, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin
Not-for-profit employees are committed to a cause and can sometimes overlook their own welfare when it comes to contract negotiating, Anderson said. She talked about the importance of negotiating for good wages, paid time off and adequate healthcare for members.
Anderson detailed several recent contracts negotiated for Local 12 members, including the first contract for Augsburg University staff, who joined the Local in 2021. After negotiating for 19 months, the members agreed to a contract that gave them six weeks of parental leave, annual raises and strong language regarding discipline, she said.
Anderson then mentioned other contracts negotiated for several nonprofits, including Minnesota Voice, the Minnesota Youth Collective and the Land Stewardship Project.
She also discussed a recent training session the Local held on political activism.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.