Workers at the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement – a major milestone that secures real protections, guaranteed raises and industry-leading benefits.
The contract, which runs through 2027, covers about five dozen employees and builds long-term stability for the coalition’s staff. It follows months of organizing and bargaining focused on securing fairness, predictability and sustainability in their work.
Contract Highlights:
- Strong severance protections: 30 days’ pay plus one week per quarter worked (up to 4 weeks per year).
- 4-day workweek: A structural commitment to work-life balance and staff well-being.
- Paid time off: All holidays plus one week in June and two weeks in winter.
- Wages: 3% annual increases across the board.
- Retirement security: Employer 401(k) match of 3–4% of employee contributions.
- Healthcare: Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for all employees.
- Parental leave: 3 months fully paid, available to be taken in up to three segments throughout the year following birth, adoption, or fostering.
- Bereavement leave: 8 days for the death of an immediate family member.
- Remote work flexibility: Contractual right to regularly work from home.
“This contract was hard won. Every member of our unit (past and present) has their hands on these pages. I am elated for our shared success in securing protections and benefits for workers at MEJC,” said Aiko Fukuchi, Operations Associate at Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition.
“The severance language we were able to confirm was a priority for us in this contract. We wanted to ensure workers had some security they could rely on, especially in such unpredictable times as these. It must be noted that through this process, we benefited greatly from the past efforts and successes of other units in The NewsGuild.”
The new contract affirms the growing strength of nonprofit and environmental workers organizing for fairness under The NewsGuild-CWA banner.