With low pay and toxic work environments in many offices, said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Congress "sounds like a perfect place for a union."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and staff members arrive at a press conference with Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) on February 6, 2020 in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and staff members arrive at a press conference with Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) on February 6, 2020 in Washington, D.C.
(Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
JULIA CONLEY
"While not all offices and committees face the same working conditions, we strongly believe that to better serve our constituents will require meaningful changes to improve retention, equity, diversity, and inclusion on Capitol Hill," organizers said. "That starts with having a voice in the workplace."
The statement was released a day after Drew Hammill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) deputy chief of staff, tweeted that the Democratic leader would support staffers' efforts to organize their workplace.
Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.), a former organizer for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), was among the first lawmakers on Friday to offer his support after the union released its statement.
A report released last month by the Congressional Progressive Staff Association found that out of more than 500 staffers who responded, nearly half struggle to pay their monthly bills, 85% believe Congress is a "toxic work environment," and more than a quarter do not have at least one month's rent in savings in case of an emergency. More than 90% of the respondents said they wanted more protections at work.
On social media, staffers have posted anonymous accounts in recent years—with activity on an Instagram account called "Dear White Staffers" increasing last month—detailing abusive treatment by some lawmakers, compensation low enough for workers to qualify for SNAP benefits and housing assistance, and high turnover on Capitol Hill.
Congress, tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), "sounds like the perfect place for a union."
Ocasio-Cortez announced after taking office in 2019 that her staff members would be paid a minimum salary of $52,000 per year, far higher than the median annual salary of about $38,000 made by entry-level staff assistants in 2020.
Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) were also among the lawmakers who expressed support for the Congressional Workers Union.
"I am in full support of this effort to unionize the very people who help serve the residents we fight for," tweeted Tlaib. "Let's get it done."
To recognize the workers' union, the House and Senate could each pass resolutions implementing provisions in the 1995 Congressional Accountability Act.
"It's time for Congressional staff to unionize and I'll do whatever I can to help them make it happen," said Bowman.
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
JULIA CONLEY
February 4, 2022
Progressives in Congress offered their full-throated support to Capitol Hill staffers as they launched a unionization effort on Friday, with several lawmakers acknowledging that low pay and poor treatment are common in many congressional offices.
"I'm proud to pay my staff a living wage and offer the most generous benefits Congress has to offer," tweeted Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.). "But that's the exception. That's why we need to allow congressional staff to unionize."
Following numerous anonymous social media posts by Hill staffers about racial and gender discrimination at work and struggling to afford essentials in Washington, D.C.—among the most expensive cities in the U.S.—the newly-formed Congressional Workers Union publicly announced Friday that workers plan to organize individual offices of lawmakers as well as congressional committees to join the union.
The staffers are unionizing "in solidarity with our fellow workers across the United States and the world," said the group.
Progressives in Congress offered their full-throated support to Capitol Hill staffers as they launched a unionization effort on Friday, with several lawmakers acknowledging that low pay and poor treatment are common in many congressional offices.
"I'm proud to pay my staff a living wage and offer the most generous benefits Congress has to offer," tweeted Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.). "But that's the exception. That's why we need to allow congressional staff to unionize."
Following numerous anonymous social media posts by Hill staffers about racial and gender discrimination at work and struggling to afford essentials in Washington, D.C.—among the most expensive cities in the U.S.—the newly-formed Congressional Workers Union publicly announced Friday that workers plan to organize individual offices of lawmakers as well as congressional committees to join the union.
The staffers are unionizing "in solidarity with our fellow workers across the United States and the world," said the group.
"While not all offices and committees face the same working conditions, we strongly believe that to better serve our constituents will require meaningful changes to improve retention, equity, diversity, and inclusion on Capitol Hill," organizers said. "That starts with having a voice in the workplace."
The statement was released a day after Drew Hammill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) deputy chief of staff, tweeted that the Democratic leader would support staffers' efforts to organize their workplace.
Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.), a former organizer for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), was among the first lawmakers on Friday to offer his support after the union released its statement.
A report released last month by the Congressional Progressive Staff Association found that out of more than 500 staffers who responded, nearly half struggle to pay their monthly bills, 85% believe Congress is a "toxic work environment," and more than a quarter do not have at least one month's rent in savings in case of an emergency. More than 90% of the respondents said they wanted more protections at work.
On social media, staffers have posted anonymous accounts in recent years—with activity on an Instagram account called "Dear White Staffers" increasing last month—detailing abusive treatment by some lawmakers, compensation low enough for workers to qualify for SNAP benefits and housing assistance, and high turnover on Capitol Hill.
Congress, tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), "sounds like the perfect place for a union."
Ocasio-Cortez announced after taking office in 2019 that her staff members would be paid a minimum salary of $52,000 per year, far higher than the median annual salary of about $38,000 made by entry-level staff assistants in 2020.
Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) were also among the lawmakers who expressed support for the Congressional Workers Union.
"I am in full support of this effort to unionize the very people who help serve the residents we fight for," tweeted Tlaib. "Let's get it done."
To recognize the workers' union, the House and Senate could each pass resolutions implementing provisions in the 1995 Congressional Accountability Act.
"It's time for Congressional staff to unionize and I'll do whatever I can to help them make it happen," said Bowman.
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Support Growing for Congressional Staffers Who Want to Unionize
BY JAKE THOMAS
BY JAKE THOMAS
ON 2/3/22
Congressional staff seeking to unionize over what they say is low pay and grueling work conditions gained the support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress on Wednesday.
A survey of congressional staff released last month by the Congressional Progressive Staff Association found that nearly half of respondents struggled to make ends meet and nearly a third of non-management staff had a second job to supplement their income.
Congressional staffers have taken to an anonymous Instagram account called "Dear White Staffers" to complain of low pay and "toxic" work environments.
A spokesman for Pelosi, a California Democrat, announced the House Speaker's support for the push to unionize staff on Twitter.
"Like all Americans, our tireless Congressional staff have the right to organize their workplace and join together in a union, " Drew Hammill, deputy chief of staff for Pelosi, said in a tweet. "If and when staffers choose to exercise that right, they would have Speaker Pelosi's full support."
Speaking to reporters earlier on Wednesday, Pelosi dodged a question about whether she supported efforts by staff to unionize.
"Well, we just unionized at the [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee], and I supported that, yeah. I supported that," said Pelosi, who moved on to another question.
Pelosi was referring to how staff for the Democrats' congressional campaign arm voted last week to form a collective bargaining unit under the auspices of Teamsters Local 238. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee staff union is the largest collective bargaining unit within the Democratic Party, according to a press release from Teamsters Local 238.
Congressional staff seeking to unionize over what they say is low pay and grueling work conditions gained the support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress on Wednesday.
A survey of congressional staff released last month by the Congressional Progressive Staff Association found that nearly half of respondents struggled to make ends meet and nearly a third of non-management staff had a second job to supplement their income.
Congressional staffers have taken to an anonymous Instagram account called "Dear White Staffers" to complain of low pay and "toxic" work environments.
A spokesman for Pelosi, a California Democrat, announced the House Speaker's support for the push to unionize staff on Twitter.
"Like all Americans, our tireless Congressional staff have the right to organize their workplace and join together in a union, " Drew Hammill, deputy chief of staff for Pelosi, said in a tweet. "If and when staffers choose to exercise that right, they would have Speaker Pelosi's full support."
Speaking to reporters earlier on Wednesday, Pelosi dodged a question about whether she supported efforts by staff to unionize.
"Well, we just unionized at the [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee], and I supported that, yeah. I supported that," said Pelosi, who moved on to another question.
Pelosi was referring to how staff for the Democrats' congressional campaign arm voted last week to form a collective bargaining unit under the auspices of Teamsters Local 238. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee staff union is the largest collective bargaining unit within the Democratic Party, according to a press release from Teamsters Local 238.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said she would support efforts by congressional staff to unionize. Above, Pelosi addresses reporters during a press conference to unveil the Joseph H. Rainey Room in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. Rainey was the first elected Black member of the House of Representatives, serving from 1870 to 1879.GREG NASH/GETTY IMAGES
The unionization follows a vote last month of staff at the Democratic National Committee, who approved joining SEIU Local 500.
There are about 31,000 congressional staffers, according to the Federal Managers Association, which represents managers and supervisors. Of those employees, 12,500 work directly for members of Congress and 6,000 for committees. The remainder working at the Library of Congress and the Government Accountability Office.
Congressional staffers on average are age 35, younger than the average 47 for federal employees, according to the association. Roughly 85 percent have at least a bachelor's degree, "but tend to be paid less and work longer hours than Executive Branch employees," according to the Congressional Progressive Staff Association.
Federal law permits congressional staff to form a union. The Capitol Police, the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office have unions.
Newsweek has reached out to the Congressional Progressive Staff Association, as well as the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, which performs many administrative functions for congressional staff, for comment.
Pelosi's announcement was followed by other members of Congress throwing their support behind efforts of staff to unionize.
"Congressional staff need unions now!" Representative Andy Levin (D-Mich.), said on Twitter. "Congress couldn't run without them and I'm committed to supporting their voice at work."
California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell also reacted by saying, "They'd also have my support."
The unionization follows a vote last month of staff at the Democratic National Committee, who approved joining SEIU Local 500.
There are about 31,000 congressional staffers, according to the Federal Managers Association, which represents managers and supervisors. Of those employees, 12,500 work directly for members of Congress and 6,000 for committees. The remainder working at the Library of Congress and the Government Accountability Office.
Congressional staffers on average are age 35, younger than the average 47 for federal employees, according to the association. Roughly 85 percent have at least a bachelor's degree, "but tend to be paid less and work longer hours than Executive Branch employees," according to the Congressional Progressive Staff Association.
Federal law permits congressional staff to form a union. The Capitol Police, the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office have unions.
Newsweek has reached out to the Congressional Progressive Staff Association, as well as the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, which performs many administrative functions for congressional staff, for comment.
Pelosi's announcement was followed by other members of Congress throwing their support behind efforts of staff to unionize.
"Congressional staff need unions now!" Representative Andy Levin (D-Mich.), said on Twitter. "Congress couldn't run without them and I'm committed to supporting their voice at work."
California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell also reacted by saying, "They'd also have my support."
No comments:
Post a Comment