NLRB Rules in Favor of Bird Union/CWA 1180 Members

After more than eighteen months of negotiating for their first union contract, workers at the National Audubon Society who are members of the Bird Union/CWA Local 1180 were vindicated last week as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) determined that the employer violated several labor laws over the course of bargaining.

From day one of negotiations, the National Audubon Society leadership has dragged its feet and used every delay and union-busting tactic in the book to try and wear down the workers. While our members have shown up ready to bargain, management has refused to discuss real compromises or paths forward, and CEO Dr. Elizabeth Gray has been repeatedly absent from any negotiations. The organization even went so far as to hire the notoriously anti-union law firm Littler Mendelson in a blatant attempt to block the workers’ efforts for better wages and working conditions.

Earlier this year, CWA filed several Unfair Labor Practice charges against the Audubon Society, and on October 18th the NLRB announced that across four cases, Audubon has bargained in bad faith or violated the rights of their union employees:

• Refused to bargain with its union members over minimum salaries and refused to share the market wage data used to develop the new salary structure.
• Unilaterally imposed changes to the union members’ healthcare plan without negotiating with the union. The new plan raised costs for union members. Healthcare benefits are a mandatory subject of bargaining that must be negotiated in good faith.
• Denied union members new and enhanced benefits that were given to non-union employees.
• In several other instances, Audubon has failed to provide certain financial documents to the union that were relevant to negotiations.

"Since day one, we've urged Audubon to respect federal labor laws,” said Gloria Middleton, President of CWA Local 1180. “Dr. Gray's spokesperson dismissed our concerns, but the NLRB's decision to issue a complaint on the four charges vindicates our case. We'll continue to defend our members – just as they safeguards birds – using all legal means."

Last week Ella Zafra, an Audubon worker and member of the Bird Union/CWA Local 1180, met with Congressman Frank Pallone, who represents New Jersey's 6th Congressional District, to discuss the organization's union busting and the struggles that the workers have faced since deciding to join CWA. Rep. Pallone agreed to send a letter of support for the union to the Audubon Society and call to speak with the CEO.