Buttigieg Campaign Announces Agreement Reached with Staff Union

SOUTH BEND, IN — Today, the Pete for America campaign and IBEW Local 2321 announced that they have reached an agreement for Organizers and Regional Organizing Directors who work for the campaign. IBEW Local 2321, the employee bargaining unit representing the organizing staff, and campaign leadership both ratified the agreement that guarantees Organizers and Regional Organizing Directors will:

 

• Receive a $400 raise across the board and a $65 monthly phone stipend

• Get paid time off weekly

• Receive a higher salary if staff have to take over the duties of a higher-paid employee for an extended period of time

• Continue to receive benefits that include the campaign paying 100% of health, vision, and dental insurance with an additional $100 monthly wellness stipend 

 

“I am very pleased to announce that we have forged an agreement which reflects the values of our campaign,” said Pete for America Campaign Manager Mike Schmuhl. “We are fortunate to work for a candidate that believes in treating workers with dignity and respect, and is committed to expanding collective bargaining rights as President. I appreciate the constructive engagement of IBEW Local 2321 and our amazing organizing team across the United States and look forward to working with all of them to win a new era."

“The Pete for America Organizers are proud to be part of a worker-driven union and to work for a candidate that recognizes the value of unions in giving a voice to workers,” said the group of Pete for America organizers. “As members of IBEW Local 2321, we believe that unionizing not only improves working conditions for ourselves, but will improve sustainability and working conditions for future campaign workers. We are committed to electing Pete Buttigieg as president so that he can help ensure that all workers have the right to organize, and all workers are honored for their time and contributions.”

The agreement covers more than 250 staff on the campaign. 

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Pete for America
For Immediate Release: November 21, 2019
Contact: Chris Meagher

Buttigieg Campaign Announces Support for Organizing Staff Forming Union

SOUTH BEND, IN — Today, Pete Buttigieg's campaign announced that its field organizers have joined a union with the campaign's support. The campaign has voluntarily recognized IBEW Local 2321 as the exclusive bargaining unit for Pete for America staff holding the title of "Organizer."

"We are proud to work for a candidate who has proposed a bold economic agenda that would restore workers' rights, expand collective bargaining rights, and make it easier for workers to unionize," said Pete for America Campaign Manager Mike Schmuhl. "We've always said we would live our values and support our staff if they wanted to form a union and today, we are proud to keep that commitment. Our team members in the early states and across the country are working hard to make Pete the next President of the United States. We're looking forward to sitting down at the bargaining table to ensure they are receiving the great benefits and supportive working conditions that every campaign staffer deserves."

PFA Union Leadership also provided a statement of support:

“As organizers with Pete for America, we are proud of Pete Buttigieg's comprehensive and thoughtful policy to empower workers. We believe in Pete and look forward to an America where all workers have the right to unionize without interference and to collectively bargain for fair pay and benefits. Because we believe, as Pete does, in unions for all, we have chosen to unionize with IBEW Local 2321. Creating a dialogue between campaign workers and management serves to benefit everyone; not only on this particular campaign, but for future campaigns and for individuals who seek to join the profession. We do our jobs because we believe in the work and we believe in Pete Buttigieg. We consider it a privilege to work for Mayor Pete and to live out our shared values. We believe that part of living out those values is advocating for our coworkers. We look forward to Winning the Era as a unified and unionized campaign."


Campaign staff were notified of the organizers’ intent to form a union, as well as the campaign's support, this afternoon.