Workers at Change.org Lead Company to Become Largest Tech Organization to Recognize a Union

San Francisco, California — Today workers at Change.org, a global platform that empowers people to start and win campaigns that address pressing issues in their lives and communities, announced that they have formed a union, Solidarity at Change, with the Communications Workers of America’s CODE-CWA project. A strong majority of the approximately 70 eligible Change.org workers in the United States voted for the union, and Change.org’s management has voluntarily recognized the group.

“At Change.org we are dedicated to helping people create the change they want to see, including thousands of workers from companies and organizations around the world who have used our platform to improve their workplaces,” said Justin Almeida, Staff Software Engineer at Change.org and a union member. “We are so fortunate to work alongside incredible people at Change.org. By joining together in a union, we are reaffirming our belief in the power of collective action. We’re excited to work with our coworkers and management on ensuring an inclusive, stable, and equitable environment that allows us all to focus on our mission.”

Solidarity at Change comprises campaigners, engineers, content creators, designers, and product managers among other non-managerial staff. The newly formed union will be the first of its kind, paving the way for the increasing number of tech workers with a rising interest in the power of collective bargaining.

“Every week, millions around the world drive people-powered campaigns on Change.org, and they’re supported by our global team who are dedicated, passionate and talented," said Bec Wilson, Acting Chief Operating Officer. "We're excited to voluntarily recognize their union, and the commitment to our mission and company it demonstrates.”

Change.org workers will join a growing number of workers that provide support for political and advocacy campaigns as members of CWA, including workers at Blue State, Catalist, and Mobilize. The Change.org workers in the United States will be members of CWA Local 9410 in San Francisco.

“We are excited to welcome Change.org staff as members of CWA and of our local,” said Orange Richardson, IV, President of CWA Local 9410. “As union members they will not only create a more equitable workplace, they will help set an example for thousands of other workers at digital platform and advocacy organizations.”

Change.org workers in Canada are also organizing with CWA. They have filed for certification under the Canada Labour Code which is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

About CODE-CWA

The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) is a network of worker-organizers and their staff working every single day to build the voice and power necessary to ensure the future of the tech, game, and digital industries in the United States and Canada. CODE-CWA is a project of the Communications Workers of America which represents hundreds of thousands of workers throughout tech, media, telecom, and other industries who stand together to fight for justice on the job and in our communities.

About Change.org

Change.org is the world’s home for people-powered change. More than 450 million people across 196 countries use our campaign tools to speak up on issues they’re passionate about — and they’re winning. Every day, campaigns are started to organize on local, national and global issues; hold corporations to account; and demand action from decision makers at the highest levels of government and business. Our platform is free to use, open to all, and completely independent because it’s funded by the people who use it. This independence also makes Change.org a trusted resource for decision makers, who turn to the platform to hear from and respond to the communities they represent. People on Change.org have powered campaigns all over the world and we currently see one campaign win every hour globally.

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Press Contacts:

Beth Allen, CWA Communications

(202) 434-1168

news@cwa-union.org

Kajal Odera, Change.org

+44 (798) 821-0203
press@change.org