Social Policy Workers United concluded our three-day strike yesterday addressing our active Unfair Labor Practice charge against MDRC. We think it’s important for MDRC to address the harm done to bargaining unit members without delay. At any time, MDRC could come to SPWU’s bargaining team with a plan to make our workers whole. There is no better time than right now. It is also time for MDRC to come back to the bargaining table with a compensation counter proposal that will enable us to conclude first contract bargaining.
The three-day strike was a multi-site (NYC, Oakland, DC) and online (remote workers across the US) effort. It would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of SPWU leadership. I have to give a special shout to our VP Colin Hill and Secretary Erika Lewy. Their efforts to ensure that members were informed, consulted, and prepared through each phase leading up to and through the strike were remarkable. This would not have been possible without them, and I can’t think of a better team to work with on this effort to support SPWU workers. To every SPWU leader and member who withheld their labor in an effort to call on Management to right the wrongs that have been done to union members–thank you. Your colleagues see you and appreciate you. People in the cities we picketed as well as across the country have been inspired by your willingness to take a stand for workers’ rights. Your sacrifices will make a difference at MDRC and more broadly.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported our efforts so far: The over 600 of you that signed our letter of support, those that reposted our updates across social media, and everyone who viewed and shared our ULP strike video. (links will be in the comments)
I would also like to thank every outlet that reached out to learn more about our fight and those they helped us share our story. Thank you to Conrad Ruiz and the Well Aware Podcast for sharing an amazing conversation about the importance of supporting workers' rights; Flash and Kelcey at America's Work Force Union Podcast for featuring our story; Daniel Efram and Eric Hovagim for capturing photos and video from our strike in addition to our own Brenna, Sydney, and Eleanor Wilson who did an amazing job capturing footage on the ground in NYC. Many thanks to the AFSCME Council 57 team for all of their help and the longstanding direct support from Jane and Rod.
Lastly, we concluded the three-day strike by announcing an additional ULP charge against MDRC, this time addressing Management’s unilateral modification of parental leave practices at the detriment of union staff. Our Union believes in protecting parents and parents-to-be and doesn’t believe MDRC has the right to lessen benefits for this group at will. MDRC Management needs to understand that the union is watching.
We are aware. We are caring for our colleagues. We are Outside.
–Jalen Alexander, SPWU President
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