CWA 1180 - Calendar

Victory at Human Rights Watch
CWA Local 1180 wins historic salary gains in contract negotiations

July 2006

Dozens of unionized workers at Human Rights Watch, the New York City-based human rights organization, won a contract on June 27 with significant wage gains, bringing entry level pay at the organization in line with standards in the nonprofit world. “We took a stand to show our organization and others that nonprofit workers deserve a wage they can live on,” said Erin Mahoney, a shop steward at Human Rights Watch and one of the union negotiators. “Many employers have forced unions to accept pay cuts for future hires in order to win raises for current workers. But we stood together and won raises for both.”

The 40 unionized employees at Human Rights Watch, including associates, office assistants, receptionists, coordinators, office managers, and mailroom managers, reached the agreement with management after a colorful contract campaign, begun in February, that included silent lunches in the organization’s lobby; a “Hair ‘Til Fair” drive, in which male employees refused to shave until an accord was reached; a near unanimous vote in May to go out on strike unless management offered a significant wage increase; and several rounds of talks involving a federal mediator.

The agreement for a five-year-and-three-month contract includes a schedule of increases to base entry-level salaries of:

11.66% retroactive to April 1, 2006
4.25% on July 1, 2007
3.50% on July 1, 2008
3.25% on July 1, 2009
3.25% on July 1, 2010

The raises will bring entry level pay for an associate, a skilled position requiring a Bachelor’s degree, from about $29,500 to about $33, 000 in the first year of the contract.

Employees already on staff will receive raises of:

11.66% retroactive to April 1, 2006
5.00% on July 1, 2007
3.75% on July 1, 2008
3.50% on July 1, 2009
4.00% on July 1, 2010

The associates also won more health care coverage for part-timers. Human Rights Watch will now cover 75% of the cost of health insurance for employees who work at least half time, and management committed in a side letter to using best efforts to bring all part-time positions up to a 60% schedule with full health coverage.

Union members won other gains in the contract, including increases in their tuition benefits, a clear promotion policy, and a review process for any changes to workload or work assignment. Liz Siegel, a union member and part-time associate at Human Rights Watch, said of the contract, “Winning more health care coverage will make a huge difference in my life – with the additional income I am saving on health care I will now be able to pay my bills, cover my living expenses, and repay my student loans. Our dedication to fighting for what we believe is right produced results.”

“At a time of health care givebacks and wage freezes, the contract we won at Human Rights Watch constitutes a real labor victory,” says CWA Local 1180 president Arthur Cheliotes. “Just because you dedicate your career to a cause shouldn’t mean that you can’t pay the rent. We hope this contract sets a standard for other underpaid workers at nonprofit organizations across New York City.”

Local 1180 is an affiliate of Communications Workers of America. The local represents nearly 9,000 civil service workers employed by the City of New York as well as several hundred workers at not-for-profit organizations including Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First, Planned Parenthood of New York City, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

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