Sept. 21, 2017 – Workers at M+R Strategic Services had hoped the company would voluntarily recognize their union, but when the consulting company refused, they persisted. On Sept. 20, ballots were counted and the results were strong: The employees voted 36-26 in favor of joining the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.
The workers filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board in July, and defeated management’s effort to exclude 19 of the 82 eligible voters from the balloting in August.
The online advocacy company has offices in Washington, DC; New York City, Los Angeles, Boston and several other locations.
The workers are “young, engaging, intelligent and introspective,” said Bruce Jett, who helped the group navigate the ins and outs of the process. “They wanted a true voice at work. They really vetted the Guild before they committed to us,” he said.
M+R employees are very dedicated, Jett said. “They work very long hours, but they love their work and love the company.” Among their concerns were health care, pay and greater transparency, he said.
The next step will be to put together a bargaining team and flesh out demands for contract negotiations.