rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/formally-recognize-the-ilsr-staff-union?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-formally-recognize-the-ilsr-staff-union' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> ILSR Staff Union https://actionnetwork.org/users/ilsr-staff-union/profile https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg On July 13, staff at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) announced the formation of the ILSR Staff Union, represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 12, AFL-CIO. We have asked ILSR Co-Directors John Farrell and Stacy Mitchell to voluntarily recognize our union, but they have not offered a response. Their hesitancy to recognize our union disregards the overwhelming support for the union from ILSR staff. To say we are disappointed in their choice to delay recognition is an understatement. It runs contrary to the mission of ILSR itself — particularly the belief that democracy can only thrive when economic and political power is widely dispersed. Senior leadership at ILSR has always worked to democratize power throughout our economy, yet they will not take this step of democratizing power in our own workplace. Through forming a union, we seek to build an even stronger, more sustainable organization for our employees, our coalition partners, and the communities we work in solidarity with. The ILSR Staff Union will promote transparency by facilitating conversations between staff members at all levels of seniority and across programs; strengthen institutional knowledge by helping the organization retain valuable staff members; ensure equity by giving all staff members a voice in decision-making; and increase staff well-being by clarifying organizational processes and providing structure for change. It will add to the long list of reasons why staff members are proud to work at ILSR. You can help us receive formal recognition by asking John Farrell, Stacy Mitchell, and the ILSR Board of Directors to recognize the ILSR Staff Union immediately! https://actionnetwork.org/letters/formally-recognize-the-ilsr-staff-union