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Brooklyn, New York [Oct. 3, 2019] – Kickstarter management has refused its employees’ request for voluntary recognition of their union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153, AFL-CIO, weeks after firing employees in response to their support for the union effort, a violation of longstanding U.S. labor law.

On Wednesday, Kickstarter United (KSRU) members approached management to ask for voluntary recognition of their union after a months-long campaign to organize employees at the crowdfunding company. Kickstarter CEO Aziz Hasan responded with an email to staff refusing the request for recognition, saying the company instead “supports” an NLRB election – a process notoriously skewed in favor of employers and against employees.

“It’s disappointing to see our leadership team publicly refuse, again, to recognize the majority support that Kickstarter United has built,” said a KSRU spokesperson. “Voluntarily recognizing our union is what’s best for the organization. It provides an opportunity to rebuild the trust our leaders’ actions have eroded with our creator and backer community. It validates the democratic process that is the signing of a petition to demand a union.

Brooklyn, New York [Oct. 2, 2019] – Kickstarter employees today officially requested from Kickstarter management voluntary recognition of their union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 153, AFL-CIO.

On Wednesday, Kickstarter United (KSRU) members approached management to ask for voluntary recognition of their union after a months-long campaign to organize employees at the crowdfunding company. In May, Kickstarter management had declined to voluntarily recognize the union, preempting its employees’ official request. The company spent the ensuing months employing typical union-busting and intimidation techniques, including hiring a crisis-management public relations firm and firing two employees who served on the KRSU organizing committee.

OPEIU members and their family members are eligible to get a degree for FREE through the OPEIU Free College program. Visit freecollege.opeiu.org to apply before the Fall Semester deadline on Oct. 14.