The Center Voluntarily Recognizes Union for Frontline Workers Serving LGBTQ+ Community

NEW YORK – On Wednesday, workers at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) announced that the organization has voluntarily recognized their union, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180.

The Center has been a fixture of the queer community since the 1980s, providing life-saving services for more than 6,000 New Yorkers a week. The almost 60 newly unionized members support the community by providing health services, youth counseling, substance abuse treatment, advocacy, meeting spaces, and more.

Voluntary recognition means that a union election was unnecessary because of the overwhelming support for unionization at the Center. In March, a supermajority of workers marched together and delivered a petition requesting management to recognize their union, which was agreed to yesterday.

“Throughout their organizing campaign, these workers have shown an unwavering commitment to their union, to The Center, and to the LGBTQ+ community,” said Gloria Middleton, president of CWA Local 1180. “By choosing to voluntarily recognize the union, The Center has met us with the spirit of mutual respect that we hope will carry over to the bargaining table as we negotiate a union contract.”

“I am beyond thrilled that we came together as workers, specifically as queer and trans folks, to support each other during this time,” said Shana Salzberg, a Youth Substance Use Treatment Coordinator. “We worked hard to build this union together, and I’ve never been more proud to work alongside some of the most powerful and brave people I’ve met to build a better world for our community members and for each other.”

“We’re excited to have a seat at the table when it comes to how workers are treated at The Center,” said Silas Norum-Gross, a Youth Substance USE Counselor. “Having a role in how our working conditions are decided will personally make me feel more in community with the executive staff.”

“I'm elated that The Center chose to build with us,” said Salem Joseph, a Youth Leadership Coordinator. “I'm excited to showcase our commitment to both the workers and the institution.”

CWA is committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ workers in partnership with The Center. CWA Local 1180 also represents 400 crisis workers from the Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people.

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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

cwa-union.org @cwaunion