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This year, for Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Sybill Hyppolite of the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU).

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA (Feb. 23, 2022) – The 56 employees of Impact Justice, a criminal justice reform nonprofit, received from management today voluntary recognition of their union with OPEIU Local 29.

"We are pleased yet unsurprised by our president's decision to do the right thing and recognize our union," said Bry Law, an Impact Justice United (IJU) spokesperson and a program coordinator at the criminal justice reform nonprofit since November 2020. "Impact Justice United is excited to work collaboratively to build a stronger organization and a more prosperous staff.

"That work begins at the bargaining table," Law added.

Earlier today, a supermajority of Impact Justice employees asked their president, Alex Busansky, to bypass the lengthy and arduous National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election process in favor of a collaborative approach. In recognizing Impact Justice United, both management and employees can now focus on negotiating a first contract that benefits both the organization and the people who make it run.

Tamilikia Foster Is creating change and making a difference in her Lansing community and through her union, OPEIU Local 459!

 

#BlackHistoryMonth #BlackHistoryMonth2022 #BlackHistory #LaborHistory #Lansing #OPEIU

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA (Feb. 23, 2022) – A supermajority of employees at Impact Justice (IJ) have formed Impact Justice United (IJU), and today requested from their employer voluntary recognition of their union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 29.

"The energy we have invested into organizing with our colleagues is a direct reflection of our commitment to our work at Impact Justice," said IJU in its letter requesting recognition from the founder and president of the criminal justice reform organization, Alex Busansky.

"Forming a union strengthens our collective pursuit of dreaming of a humane and restorative system of justice in the United States," the letter continued. "We draw inspiration from Impact Justice’s core values and guiding principles — each of which speak to the necessity of unionizing."

The unit of 56 employees seeking recognition of their union is continuing a national trend of nonprofit employees organizing for better wages, benefits and working conditions at mission-based organizations.