By MIKE LEE

Workers at the national nonprofit Matriculate secured a win when they organized to bring recognition for their work and the need for fair wage increases. The workers approached DC 37 about union representation after a new CEO pulled back on several wage increases and froze promotions for a year without explanation.

“The members of our bargaining unit perform a variety of roles at Matriculate, although we all work remotely,” said Ryan Kelly, Senior Associate, Student Learning. “The organization’s goal is to open access to traditionally underrepresented students and provide them aid by training college students to mentor and advise these high schoolers on their college applications and admissions journeys.”

DC 37 Organizer Julian DeJesus explained the small unit represents many diverse roles. Matriculate workers recruit and advise high school students to get into college, others train them to become college advisors, and several others do IT work and accounting.

Members of the Matriculate Organizing Committee were united in their demand for transparency from management and advocacy for better wages, job duties, and specifications.

“We sought union representation to become decision-makers,” said Erin Nolan, Senior Associate of Advising Fellow Experience & Impact. “Associates and managers work most closely with our students, and we believe that Matriculate’s mission can only be fulfilled if we center our staff and students in our work and the values we uphold.”

Though several staff members are based in New York City, other employees are scattered across the country, requiring in-person and virtual organizing efforts.

“We spoke to our colleagues in one-on-one conversations to build solidarity, understand our co-workers’ concerns, and share how a union can empower us to strive for better,” said Julianna Burke, Manager of Advising Fellow Leadership Development.

“We won voluntary recognition for these workers with a well-thought-out plan that was coordinated between the DC 37 Legal, Organizing, and Research & Negotiations departments,” DeJesus said. “We were even able to get managers into the union, which is not really something that occurs in the private sector.”

The committee received voluntary recognition from Matriculate management in March, which meant a union election was not required.

“Management disputed the eligibility of some of our colleagues’ titles for the bargaining unit and hired an attorney from a notorious union-busting law firm, so it should be noted they demonstrated significant resistance to our efforts to democratize our workplace,” said Manny Ramirez, Senior Associate of Advising Fellow Recruitment.

Management then came forward with surprising news.

“Right after we formed our Bargaining Committee, management approached us for a round of end-of-year negotiations to agree upon annual raises and promotions,” said Kristen Altman, Senior Associate, External Affairs. “Given the fast pace and narrow scope of the discussion, this functioned as a ‘practice round’ for contract negotiations. Within weeks, we won material wins for our workers and left that round of bargaining having ceded none of the concessions management had requested.”

Research & Negotiations Assistant Director Michele Trester, with help from Assistant Director Rob Callaghan, guided the negotiating team. The union won increases for the workers ranging from 4% to 12%, the latter amount for the organization’s lowest earners.

“The guidance of Michele, Julian, and Rob was crucial in navigating the tight timeline for this agreement, and we were able to challenge management on several fronts in hopes of solidifying our wins in future contract negotiations,” Altman said.

“The Legal Department, specifically General Counsel Robin Roach, was just so helpful in crafting a good strategy for how we filed,” DeJesus said. “The campaign was seamless because the leadership of the departments at DC 37 worked so closely together.”

“We began planning for the negotiating phase of our contract, working closely with our representatives at DC 37 to grow unit involvement and review current policies and platforms,” said Emma Walter, Manager of High School Fellow Experience. “We are eager to start this process and generate some critically needed positive change at Matriculate.”

The win at Matriculate, as with a similar organizing victory last year at Resilience Lab, is part of the union’s effort to organize teleworkers at nonprofits and the private sector that comprise a growing share of the workforce.

“Telework is the new reality and future of work,” said Fareed Michelen, DC 37 Organizing Director. “Only through union contracts can we ensure this industry pays fair wages. DC 37 is positioned to be the union of work today and tomorrow.”