Workers at Invest in Louisiana, formerly the Louisiana Budget Project, have ratified their first union contract with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, securing major wins for equity, transparency and worker power.
Invest in Louisiana is a nonpartisan think tank that drives policy change to advance economic prosperity for all Louisianans through sound analysis, independent research and community engagement. Formerly the Louisiana Budget Project, in 2024, it relaunched as Invest in Louisiana—reflecting a commitment to building an inclusive economy that puts the needs of Louisianans first.
The new contract covers roughly 10 workers and builds on that mission, ensuring fairness and stability for the staff who power this vital work. Highlights include:
- $2,000 annual raises plus anniversary bonuses
- 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave (16 weeks total time off)
- $750 professional development stipend
- Guardrails for reasonable workloads
- Stronger DEI and anti-discrimination protections in hiring and the workplace
- Expanded holidays including Lundi Gras, Mardi Gras, Juneteenth, MLK Day and a full week at year’s end
- Job security protections: 8 weeks’ notice before layoffs, 3 months’ healthcare after and 18-month recall rights
- A 5% retirement contribution, life insurance and disability coverage
“We organized to make Invest in Louisiana stronger,” said Courtney Foster, Senior Policy Advisor, Medicaid at Invest in Louisiana.
“This contract helps us live our values and shows what’s possible when workers have a real voice. We hope our contract can help build worker power across Louisiana, and we are excited to see and support more Louisiana nonprofits organizing their staff/workplaces.”
With these protections and guaranteed raises, Invest in Louisiana workers are setting a new standard for nonprofit staff across the South.
Workers won union recognition in March of 2022.