Political Research Associates and NewsGuild Members Unanimously Approve First Collective Bargaining Agreement
For Immediate Release
October 19, 2022
Contact information: Political Research Associates: communications@politicalresearch.org; PRA Staff Union: UnionAtPRA@gmail.com or on Twitter @UnionAtPRA; Washington-Baltimore News Guild: scook@wbng.org
[SOMERVILLE, MA, October 19, 2022] – Political Research Associates (PRA)—a national nonprofit research and strategy center that monitors and counteracts anti-democratic forces—and staff, now organized with the NewsGuild-CWA, ratified an initial three-year collective bargaining agreement that takes effect this month. The agreement was unanimously approved by both the PRA Staff Unit and the PRA Board.
“This contract reflects well PRA’s social justice values and the just, democratic society that we are working so hard to build. The staff bargaining team were wonderful partners in shaping this agreement and we look forward to the good work we will continue to do together,” said PRA Executive Director Tarso Luís Ramos.
The PRA staff unit is part of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, Local 32035 of CWA. Cet Parks, Executive Director of the Local said, “The NewsGuild is proud of what the members at PRA have accomplished in this collective bargaining agreement. It breaks new ground on establishing equitable working hours and fair compensation.” Steve Cook, the local representative who negotiated the contract with PRA members, called it “a historic moment for the progressive non-profit sphere.”
“We’re excited about this first contract,” PRA bargaining unit members affirm. “We know our contract will serve as a model for other organizations seeking to advance their organizational principles through building employee power.”
Major highlights from the contract include:
- Significant updates to employee compensation and work-life balance, including a 32-hour/4-day work week pilot program; a new salary floor of $60,000; and a provision ensuring that the highest paid employee at the organization does not earn more than three times the lowest paid employee.
- Building on PRA’s expansive benefits is an enhanced health-and-wellness-leave policy; an employee crisis fund to support PRA staff in times of unexpected hardship, including but not limited to: housing instability, natural disaster relief, immigration emergencies, gender affirming care, and abortion care; and recognition of employees with more than one partner or co-parent.
- Defined protections against discrimination beyond federal categories, including on the basis of relationship structure, gender identity or expression, body size, and more.
As a rapidly growing organization, this historic contract supports PRA’s mission in continuing to fight authoritarian and supremacist movements. With aligned values and worker power, PRA is strengthened in its ability to block oppressive movements and build a more just future.
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To reach Political Research Associates, please email: communications@politicalresearch.org. To reach the PRA Staff Union, please email UnionAtPRA@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter @UnionAtPRA. To reach the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, please email: scook@wbng.org