International Rescue Committee (IRC) Workers Announce Unionization with OPEIU Local 153
New York, New York – A supermajority of employees from the International Rescue Committee office of New York have announced their intent to form a union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153.
The IRC NY office is the eighth IRC regional office to announce the formation of their union with OPEIU, following Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Abilene, TX; Oakland, CA; San Jose, CA; Atlanta, GA; and Turlock, CA. IRC NYC workers have called on IRC leadership to avoid a wasteful and lengthy election process by voluntarily recognizing their union.
Demand for the critical services IRC workers provide has never been higher, and as the new US presidential administration promises to ramp up its attacks on the rights of workers, immigrants, and forced migrants, it has never been more important for humanitarian workers to organize and have a voice at the table.
“We’re unionizing because we believe we are stronger as a workplace when we’re organized together,” says Aaron Banen, a Youth Program Specialist at the IRC NY. “We join several other IRC offices that have recently unionized that face similar workplace struggles such as large caseloads, work-life balance concerns, and more. We also believe it is in the best interest of the clients we serve, that unionizing will allow us to provide better quality services to these vulnerable populations, especially concerning the current political climate.”
Included in the IRC NY workers key demands are better pay transparency and equity, higher wages, affordable health insurance inclusive of coverage for mental healthcare, just cause protections, safe and confidential spaces for meeting with clients, and a collective voice and input when it comes to organizational decision making.
"Forming a union at IRC is an essential step to ensure workers are truly represented, heard, and empowered,” adds Mohamed Abbas, an IRC Healthcare and Benefits Navigator. “Unionizing such a diverse group of individuals is not only a bold move toward shaping a better future but also an urgent necessity in these uncertain times. Together, we can face the challenges of our workplace collectively, fostering strength and solidarity, rather than navigating them in isolation."
The workers of IRC NY look forward to joining their peers at the bargaining table in the fight to ensure equity, stability, and respect for all IRC workers and the clients they serve every day.
###
ABOUT IRC WORKERS UNITE
IRC Workers Unite is made up of refugee and resettlement workers from across the nationwide offices of the International Rescue Committee in the United States, proudly represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU). Collectively, we believe in democratizing our workplace to better serve our clients, our community, and one another. Having a seat at the table allows those of us doing direct service work to help shape the future of IRC so that it is a sustainable workplace where all are treated with the same dignity and respect we advocate for daily for our clients.