Employees at Lambda Legal voted 42-8 in favor of forming a union at the nation's oldest and largest legal organization working for the civil rights of LGBTQ people and everyone living with HIV.
Eligible staff in all six regional offices, including lawyers, fundraisers, communication and administrative and support staff will be members of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. Alexis Paige, a legal assistant in the Midwest Regional Office of Lambda Legal and one of the leaders in the organizing effort, issued the following statement on behalf of the staff:
"Lambda Legal's staff are some of the most hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals I know, and today I am proud that we came together across departments and regions, and stood up for ourselves and one another. Today's election is the direct result of hard work and unwavering commitment to each other and Lambda Legal. Because of that hard work and commitment, we will have a seat at the table when the decisions that directly affect our lives are being made. We call on Lambda Legal leadership to join us at the table in good faith to negotiate a mutually agreeable contract that aligns with Lambda Legal's ideals and moves the organization forward.
"The goals of our leadership and the well-being of employees are not mutually exclusive. Forming a union is consistent with Lambda Legal's values of equality and inclusion. We fight in the courts and on the ground for LGBTQ people and everyone living with HIV because we fundamentally believe that when our communities have a voice, our society will be a better place for all of us. Forming a union is a big step toward giving our employees a voice so Lambda Legal can be a better place.
"In the coming weeks, we will work with one another and with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild to agree on our priorities and negotiate a contract for our unit. We are looking forward to building a strong union that is inclusive and truly representative of our staff and our interests, and to a productive and respectful relationship with our leadership."
"We did it—now let's move forward together."
