Jalen Alexander, President of the Social Policy Workers United — affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 57 — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the impact of federal funding reductions on nonprofit workers and the importance of union solidarity during layoffs.
Alexander recounted the union's recent contract victory, which included back pay, salary increases and improved working conditions for members at MDRC, a social policy research organization. The union secured a 6 percent minimum salary increase and 12 percent raises over the contract's duration, addressing long-standing issues of poverty wages within the nonprofit sector. This success highlighted the power of collective bargaining in improving workers' lives, even in mission-driven organizations.
However, the celebration was short-lived as federal budget cuts hit MDRC hard, leading to layoffs. Alexander revealed the stark contrast between unionized and non-unionized workers during this process. While 15 non-union employees were immediately terminated, union members received a three-week administrative leave period, allowing time for negotiations and alternatives to be explored. This difference underscored the critical role of union protection during economic downturns and organizational restructuring.
The layoff process exposed troubling behavior from MDRC management, including misleading communication and a refusal to negotiate separation agreements. Alexander described how the union collected information on members' requested changes to severance packages, only to have management abruptly reject all modifications. This experience reinforced the need for strong union representation and highlighted the ongoing challenges workers face, even in organizations dedicated to studying policies affecting low-income populations.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about the ongoing struggle for workers' rights in the nonprofit sector.