Impact Justice and Impact Justice United (IJU), the nonprofit’s employee union, announced the ratification of the first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in the organization’s history today. The agreement, organized under the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, was made possible by a shared commitment to fostering a values-based, equitable, and safe workplace where all employees can thrive.
The new three-year contract, effective March 6th, lays out provisions that increase compensation for bargaining unit employees, boost the number of paid holidays and breaks, codify hybrid work arrangements, create a digital nomad policy, offer an office-based stipend and several other policies that support staff well-being, equitable processes, and professional development.
“From the beginning, IJU has centered its organizing around the principles that bring so many of us to Impact Justice: diversity, equity, liberation, and integrity,” said Sheely Edwards, member of IJU’s Bargaining Committee. “This CBA furthers these ideals with guaranteed compensation increases, greater transparency in organizational governance, and additional pay for positions requiring bilingual skills, as well as codifying a stipend for remote work and creating a new stipend for office-based employees, clear severance and layoff protections, and safe workplace language. Our organization and our community are in a better place today because of the many people who made this deal possible — from dedicated IJU members across the country, previous rank-and file-organizers, OPEIU staff, Impact Justice leadership, and many more — all united in their aspiration to build justice through our work and in our workplace alike. Having already accomplished so much together, we look forward to implementing this CBA with Impact Justice leadership for the benefit of all.”
“Today’s agreement marks a truly historic moment for Impact Justice,” said Alex Busansky, President and Founder of Impact Justice. “This CBA shows what is possible when we work together to improve systems and policies: a best-in-class benefits package that sets a model for justice nonprofits across the country and policies that support our employees. It is gratifying to partner with IJU to cultivate an environment where every employee can thrive. The journey to this point has deepened our understanding of the work experiences of bargaining unit employees, opening new opportunities to strengthen our community and advance our mission together.”
About OPEIU
The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, represents approximately 90,000 working people throughout the United States and Canada. Representing employees in nonprofit organizations, technology, hospitals, hotels, credit unions, insurance agencies, colleges and universities, administrative offices and more, OPEIU is committed to advancing economic justice for working people no matter their occupation. Professional organizations and guilds affiliated with OPEIU are a diverse group that includes podiatrists, teachers, registered nurses and helicopter pilots. OPEIU is an affiliate of the 15 million-member strong AFL-CIO.
About Impact Justice
Impact Justice is a national nonprofit innovation and research center advancing safety, justice, and opportunity through boundary-breaking work that changes expectations about what we can accomplish together. Known for its bold ideas, commitment to empowering system-impacted people, and innovative programs, Impact Justice has been challenging America’s obsession with endless punishment for the past decade.
