Aug. 26, 2019 – Lambda Legal’s staff union announced the ratification of its first contract and issued the following statement:
“Two years ago, Lambda Legal staff made the decision to unionize after learning firsthand how tenuous non-union employee protections can be. Today, we announce the completion of our inaugural contract.
“We are grateful for the support of our colleagues and advice of our union, the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. Though the road here was neither quick nor easy, we are proud to have reached this agreement. And more importantly, we are proud to move forward together to ensure that Lambda Legal’s own workplace reflects its mission and organizational values.
“For Lambda Legal staff, unionizing was about guaranteeing that those of us putting in 50-60 (or more) hours of work each week do not have to worry about what will happen when we need a break. It was about ensuring that we and our partners and families do not need to choose paying rent over affording to take our sick children to the doctor. It was about getting the health care that we need – care that our clients and communities depend on us to fight for. It was about our futures, and our futures at Lambda Legal.
“This contract is security. It is knowing that Lambda Legal will be there for us so that we can continue to be there for those who need our help. It is the increased strength and efficacy of an organization – an organization that we and so many others believe in – when staff are guaranteed a seat at the table.
“That is what unionizing means, and that is what this day means to us.”