Urban Institute and Urban Institute Employees Union Reach Historic Collective Bargaining Agreement

Contact:
NPEU, Valeria Mejía-Guevara, VP for Communications, [email protected]
Urban Institute, Daniel Fowler, Director of Media Relations, [email protected]
(202) 261-5709

WASHINGTON, DC, December 2, 2024 - The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union, IFPTE Local 70 (NPEU), and the Urban Institute announced the unanimous ratification of the first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) governing the terms and conditions of employment for nearly 300 Urban staff. This agreement, reached after more than two years of collaborative negotiations, reflects Urban's commitment to supporting its employees and advancing its mission to foster a future where every person and every community have the opportunity and power to thrive.

The new CBA includes provisions that standardize workplace practices and offer advancements for bargaining unit employees like guaranteed salary increases, higher wage floors across job families, enhanced personal leave, increased tuition assistance, codified just cause protections, and expanded hybrid and remote work options.

"The agreement builds upon Urban's commitment to making meaningful improvements in wages and benefits and reflects our continued focus on equity and inclusion in our policies, practices, and culture," said Sarah Rosen Wartell, president of the Urban Institute. "It is gratifying to partner with the Union to cultivate an environment where every employee can thrive. The journey to this point has deepened our understanding of the work experiences of both bargaining unit employees and non-union supervisors, opening new opportunities to strengthen our community and advance our mission together."

Highlighting the historic nature of the agreement, Amy Chin-Lai, NPEU president, said: "I am so proud of our members for crafting this landmark agreement and grateful to the Urban Institute for facilitating a collaborative bargaining process. As we enter even more uncertain times, this agreement is proving that the American labor movement is a critical support system for working people in our society and progress is still possible. This contract will serve as an example for nonprofit workers everywhere, and I'm excited to see this group build on the enthusiasm cultivated during the bargaining process."

Sonia Torres Rodríguez, a longtime bargaining committee member, added: "This agreement is the result of an outpouring of hard work, dedication, and solidarity from our 260+ represented workers. The agreement's strength lies in our union members' mutual commitment to uplift diverse voices and collectively organize for each other's improved working conditions." Torres Rodríguez also underscored the significance of the new CBA provisions by stating, "I'm exceedingly proud of both the material pay and benefits we secured for our workers - including non-merit across-the-board salary increases - as well as the improvements we made in hiring, salary transparency, performance appraisal, and benefits administration processes across the institution."

Ben Falk, a bargaining committee member and former organizing committee member, shared feeling proud of how the CBA promotes workplace equity: "I have been so proud to have worked with so many talented and dedicated people on making the Urban Institute an even better place to work. I'm excited by the progress we've made to uphold equity and racial justice in how we work together, and especially on lifting up pay for our Communications colleagues in recognition of their essential role in Urban's work quality and impact."

The Urban Institute and the Urban Institute Employees Union remain committed to fostering a workplace that reflects Urban's values and supports employees in advancing its mission.

About the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union, IFPTE Local 70

The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), a local of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, AFL-CIO represents professionals employed at more than 50 nonprofit organizations in DC and across the United States. With thousands of members, NPEU gives nonprofit workers a voice to strengthen their workplaces and continue to do work that makes a difference in people's lives. More information is available at npeu.org.

About the Urban Institute

The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization that provides data and evidence to help advance upward mobility and equity. We are a trusted source for changemakers who seek to strengthen decisionmaking, create inclusive economic growth, and improve the well-being of families and communities. For more than 50 years, Urban has delivered facts that inspire solutions-and this remains our charge today.