Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus Staff and Management Finalize Their First Union Contract
SAN FRANCISCO — Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, the nation’s first legal and civil rights organization serving low-income Asian Pacific American communities, has finalized its first union contract between staff and management. In March 2019, Asian Law Caucus staff formed their union with Communications Workers of America Local 9410 following voluntary card check recognition by management.
As more nonprofit staff in California and across the country form unions and advocate for stronger, healthier workplaces, the Asian Law Caucus contract provides market-based increased wages, benefits, and non-economic improvements. The contract was ratified through unanimous board and union votes, and covers three years starting May 19, 2021.
“This first contract is a culmination of many years of building collective worker power at the Asian Law Caucus, and the bargaining unit is immensely grateful for all the past and present staff who helped get us to this historic moment. We look forward to continuing to work with management to deepen our commitment to the values we champion for the communities we serve,” said Kevin Lo, CWA bargaining team member.
“Our first union contract ensures we meet the needs of our clients and communities, are able to continue to attract and retain passionate, creative and talented staff and live out our shared values of worker empowerment,” said Aarti Kohli, executive director of Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus. “Along with the rest of the management team and our board of directors, I want to express our appreciation for the bargaining committee, whose dedication and hard work helped us reach this important milestone. We look forward to the next phase of our collaboration and continuing to build a healthy workplace for all.”
“This CBA is the result of both bargaining teams’ effort to negotiate in good faith. The agreement will be a model for future agreements between nonprofits and employee unionization efforts,” said Roland Andersen, vice-president of CWA Local 9410. “Looking towards the future, we hope to build on the foundation established and collective beliefs for the well-being of our CWA members, Asian Law Caucus, and the communities ALC serves.”
Berkeley-based labor negotiator David Wolf observed that “this collective bargaining agreement is truly unique in that the process straddled the COVID-19 pandemic and brought forward extraordinary creativity on the part of both teams, leadership and key stakeholders. Everyone can be proud of the collective effort.”
About Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus (ALC)
ALC was founded in 1972 as the nation’s first legal and civil rights Asian American organization. Recognizing that social, economic, political and racial inequalities continue to exist in the United States, ALC is committed to the pursuit of equality and justice for all sectors of our society, with a specific focus directed toward addressing the needs of low-income, immigrant and underserved Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. https://www.asianlawcaucus.org/
About CWA Local 9410
CWA represents 700,000 workers in private and public sector employment in 1,200 chartered CWA local unions. CWA members work in telecommunications and information technology, the airline industry, news media, broadcast and cable television, education, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, and other fields. Local 9410 represents AT&T employees, pre-school teachers – daycare workers, administrative personnel, and others in the San Francisco bay area. CWA promotes and encourages diversity, equality, and inclusion.