The frontline workers of Ozone House Youth and Family Services have officially gone public with their campaign to unionize with the Newspaper Guild of Detroit, TNG-CWA Local 34022. Workers now seek voluntary recognition from management.
As staff who support youth and families facing homelessness, poverty and food insecurity in Southeast Michigan, the workers say they are organizing to protect their dignity on the job, improve conditions for clients and ensure the agency operates in a way that reflects shared values of justice, equity and care.
In a mission statement release last week, Ozone House United workers emphasized their commitment to preserving what makes Ozone House a strong workplace—while addressing serious issues like the lack of paid parental leave, inadequate support for crisis workers, inconsistent internal communication and a need for greater transparency from leadership.
“We are the workers on the front lines of every eviction, mental health crisis, interfamily conflict and community intervention our organization engages with,” the statement reads. “It is time we have a voice in how Ozone House is run.”
Their campaign highlights the broader challenges facing the nonprofit sector, including budget cuts, political attacks and high turnover. With their public launch, Ozone House United joins a growing wave of nonprofit workers organizing to build more just, accountable institutions rooted in care for both staff and community.
Follow their campaign through the Newspaper Guild of Detroit on Twitter/X @local34022.