St. Louis – The ACLU of Missouri and the United Media Guild formally agree to ratify their inaugural collective bargaining agreement. The five-year agreement marks the first union contract for ACLU of Missouri employees, who formed a union with the United Media Guild that was voluntarily recognized by the ACLU of Missouri on March 8, 2021.
“The collective agreement to ensure that our team rises together is a direct reflection of the work we do at the ACLU of Missouri,” said Reva Wood, who is a member of the ACLU of Missouri’s development team and serves as the unit chair. “Our new agreement brings forth benefits that will have an immediate impact for members and their families. We are thankful that management voluntarily came to negotiations in good faith and with the willingness to get this done. The ACLU of Missouri Bargaining Unit is proud to be represented by the United Media Guild.”
“As workers around the country justly seek more influence in the decisions that impact their livelihoods, the ACLU of Missouri proudly celebrates the ratification of our inaugural contract, which includes guarantees of annual raises and a broader health-coverage benefit for workers’ dependents,” said Luz María Henríquez, Executive Director of the ACLU of Missouri. “Our organization approached the process as an opportunity to strengthen our affiliate. Together with staff we defined shared interests, enhanced organizational systems and structures, and fortified relationships. We believe the agreement upholds our commitment to fairness and equity for all staff while putting the organization on a sustainable path to continue our work.”
The highlights of the five-year contract agreed to by ACLU of Missouri Bargaining Unit and the ACLU of Missouri include:
- Immediate increase in base salary for all employees
- Annual step-up increase in pay for the term of the contract
- Guaranteed paid time off for 10 holidays, and an additional floating paid holiday of the employee’s choice, annual and sick leave
- Greater insurance coverage for employees and dependents, including continuing to pay the full premium for employees while now in addition covering 50 percent of premiums for their families
- Provisions for separation pay
- Renewed commitment to equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination
- Three days of remote work per week
- Increased allowance for use of personal mobile device
- Formation of a labor management committee to collaboratively address and solve issues
“The United Media Guild is proud to partner with the ACLU of Missouri, as both organizations have a history of standing up for the rights of workers,” said Shannon Duffy, Business Representative for the United Media Guild. “We believe this 5-year collective bargaining agreement – with guaranteed raises in every year – is fair, equitable and we look forward to working together in the future.”
About the NewsGuild-CWA
The NewsGuild-CWA represents more than 20,000 journalists and other workers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico at social justice organizations and publications and digital sites that include The New York Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Consumer Reports. Formerly known as The Newspaper Guild, the union was founded by journalists in 1933. The Guild merged with the 700,000-member Communications Workers of America in 1995.
About the ACLU of Missouri
The ACLU of Missouri dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize the promise of the Missouri and United States Constitutions and to expand the reach of their guarantees of fundamental rights and civil liberties for all people and to protect the principles of equality and justice through litigation, narrative advocacy, legislation, and public education programs in Missouri.