MoveOn Workers United-CWA Secures Voluntary Recognition from MoveOn

The union, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), achieved voluntary recognition following a card check where 92% of employees voted in favor.

NATIONWIDE – Workers at MoveOn Civic Action formed a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1103 based in New York. Well beyond a supermajority of MoveOn staff took part in forming MoveOn Workers United-CWA, and management has agreed to voluntarily recognize the staff union.

On the heels of a historic midterm election, driven by MoveOn employees who powered the organization to a near 90% win rate, MoveOn Workers United-CWA formed a union in record time to represent workers’ interests in organizational matters. At the core of both today’s events and the election on Tuesday, November 3, is a simple truth: working families are struggling, and they are fighting for a seat at the table—both in their workplaces and in the priorities of their elected representatives.

Since its inception 28 years ago, MoveOn Civic Action and its affiliate MoveOn Political Action have historically backed pro-union efforts led by labor partners, but MoveOn workers themselves didn’t have a seat at the table about decisions that impacted their work and lives. As such, MoveOn Workers United-CWA formed its union in order to give workers a voice and push MoveOn Civic Action to honor its external commitment of being pro-worker and pro-union.

“Today is a milestone for the workers who have delivered historic victories in some of the most consequential legislative and electoral fights of this decade,” said William Joel Bravo, MoveOn Workers United spokesperson. “Together, we are standing up to make sure that workers at this organization have a seat at the table to deliver on the commitments that MoveOn has made to the community it serves,” said Mona Yeh, MoveOn Workers United spokesperson.

"For years, unions across the country have supported MoveOn, so when workers from MoveOn reached out, it was a no-brainer. We are excited to help MoveOn workers secure their first Collective Bargaining Agreement," said CWA 1103 President Kevin Sheil.

MoveOn Workers United-CWA is now part of the growing number of progressive political nonprofits that have organized staff unions. As this country faces diminishing union representation as a result of anti-union lobbying and legislation, MoveOn Workers United is leading by example, taking part in the union revival movement.

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