FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Kathleen Floyd, WBNG Communications, kfloyd@wbng.org
Jack Alber, together4edf@gmail.com
WASHINGTON — Today, workers at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) voted to unionize, with 81% of participants voting in favor of the union, EDF Together. This win follows over a year of staff organizing with the mission of championing the rights, well-being, and collective voice of workers at EDF.
“This victory validates the power of community care and affords us the opportunity to build on everything we love about working at EDF as we journey into the future united.” — Denise, Senior Coordinator
“At over 460 eligible employees, this will be the largest environmental nonprofit union in the US. When so many of our climate-defending institutions are under attack, seeing a new one get built fills me with tremendous hope.” — Maximilian, Senior Analyst
“Supporting staff from the ground up gives us the foundation we need in order to address the complex challenges of the climate crisis. With this result demonstrating a clear mandate from staff, my colleagues and I are excited to move swiftly into bargaining our first contract. ” — Jess, Program Coordinator
EDF Together went public on December 2 with a supermajority of support in union cards, and over 2,000 letters from the public were sent to EDF’s management team asking for voluntary recognition. Ultimately, the Executive Management Team chose to not voluntarily recognize the union and requested a private election.
This win follows a long list of previous union wins at environmental nonprofits, including the Natural Resources Defense Council Union, League of Conservation Voters Union, and The Bird Union.
EDF Together looks forward to beginning bargaining with EDF management promptly to secure a strong contract for members.
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About EDF Together
EDF Together is a union of almost 500 workers at the Environmental Defense Fund organizing for equity, transparency, and a sustainable future for all. As scientists, attorneys, economists, communicators, and advocates, we fight for “a vital Earth, for everyone.” EDF Together is a crucial step toward organizational sustainability and transparency, and works to ensure job security, fair compensation, and a collective voice at the decision-making table. EDF Together is part of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, Local 32035 of The NewsGuild-CWA.