PA Voice Workers Join Local 32
Philadelphia – Pennsylvania Voice and the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), Local 32, together proudly announce the voluntary recognition and new formation of a collective bargaining unit to represent Pennsylvania Voice employees.
“We're at an exciting period at PA Voice characterized by growth and reflection. In 2021, PA Voice entered its second decade, welcomed a new executive director, doubled our staff, and moved into the second year of a global pandemic, all while intentionally centering collective power. It's fitting that in this growth year, we, the workers of PA Voice, unanimously affirmed this locus of collective power by unionizing,” said PA Voice Staff in a joint statement. “We're excited to take the next step to affirm worker's rights and equity for all staff."
Pennsylvania Voice began in 2010 in order to amplify the political voices of Pennsylvanians statewide, and over the years has transformed into a data-driven, BIPOC partner-led movement to build an inclusive, just, and reflective democracy.
As a majority-BIPOC staff, we understand that our race is inextricably connected to our identities as workers, and are therefore excited to continue centering racial equity internally as well as externally. “PA Voice has always been about building and expanding power for communities of color. The establishment of a union is the best example of how our organization has decided to do that: by starting within and making sure its staff feels empowered in the organization and demonstrating how PA Voice continues to lead by example,” shares PA Voice staff.
Pennsylvania Voice believes that full civic representation and participation by BIPOC communities can only be achieved through collective impact: a culmination of culture shifts, election cycles,
legislative victories, and community driven campaign successes. Pennsylvania Voice partners build the collective power needed to strengthen democracy, fortify grassroots efforts, make efficient use of
limited resources, and bring about solutions, together. “The unit has our support in applying these same principles here within our organization,” shares Pennsylvania Voice Senior Leadership.
“We believe that this new partnership will strengthen our workplace, and we stand in solidarity with workers throughout the country committed to healthy working conditions for all.”
OPEIU, Local 32: Office and Professional Employees International Union was chartered in 1945 and with more than 104,000 members (representing 110,000 employees) strong, we’re one of the larger
unions of the AFL-CIO. OPEIU has locals in every state, Puerto Rico and Canada. OPEIU represents employees in nonprofit organizations, technology, credit unions, hospitals, insurance agencies, colleges and universities, hotels, administrative offices and more. Local 32 represents nearly 4000 workers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware in a variety of private, government and non-profit organizations.