‘Historic contract’: SPLC and Washington-Baltimore News Guild Local 32035, TNG-CWA reach collective bargaining agreement

July 26, 2022

The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Washington-Baltimore News Guild Local 32035, TNG-CWA (the Guild of WBNG) have reached their first collective bargaining agreement, covering approximately 250 SPLC employees for the next three years.

The contract, reached on July 15, reflects the values and commitment of both the SPLC and the Guild to social, racial and economic justice. Over the life of the contract, the average wage will increase by more than 11% for employees. Beginning Nov. 1, the minimum wage for new SPLC employees will be over $20 per hour.

The Guild was certified by the National Labor Relations Board as the exclusive representative of the SPLC’s employees following an election in December 2019. Shortly thereafter, the SPLC and the Guild reached an agreement that provided just cause protection from discipline and discharge and a grievance procedure to enforce it. An interim agreement providing just cause protection is unprecedented in the Guild.

The Guild spent the next year surveying employees and drafting a contract proposal. The Guild presented its proposal to the SPLC and commenced bargaining in November 2020.

In a joint statement released this week, SPLC President and CEO Margaret Huang and WBNG Executive Director Cet Parks said: “This contract can be a catalyst for economic and racial justice in the South and beyond. It will support all the SPLC employees who work every day to achieve a vision of a world where everyone can thrive and the ideals of equity, justice and liberation are a reality for all. The SPLC recently celebrated the first 50 years and with this historic contract, the SPLC and the Guild are in agreement that employees can have that same vision in the workplace.”

Other highlights of the contract include:

Longevity pay increases
18 paid holidays, including an annual summer break for the week of July Fourth; a guaranteed minimum of 20 vacation days per year; and three paid personal days
12 weeks of paid parental leave and 12 paid sick leave days that can also be used for caregiver leave
10 days per year for bereavement leave, two weeks of paid leave for pregnancy loss and two weeks of paid leave for gender affirmation care
A high level of health benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including domestic partners and their dependents, at minimal cost to employees
Up to 10% annual contributions from the employer to 401(k) retirement accounts
Remote work provisions that allow nearly 90% of employees the flexibility to work away from the office at least three days a week
Location differentials up to an additional $8,500 per year
Annual professional development allowance of $1,500-$2,000
Relocation stipends up to $9,500
Adoption, surrogacy and fostering reimbursement of up to $15,000
Cellphone reimbursement of $75/month for eligible employees
Tuition reimbursement up to $15,000
Paid sabbaticals after five years of employment
A hiring preference for qualified internal applicants and a commitment to develop clear promotional paths
Creation of a Labor Management Committee to address racial justice, equity and inclusion
Protection against discrimination and a commitment to never require an employee to sign a nondisclosure agreement regarding complaints about discrimination and/or sexual harassment

Photo at top: SPLC Union buttons. (Credit: SPLC)