Contact: Chelsey Engel, cengel@usw.org, (412) 212-8173
Workers at Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Hello Neighbor presented their CEO with a request for voluntary union recognition on Tues., Jan. 3.
Hello Neighbor provides social services for refugees and immigrants in and around the city. The bargaining unit consists of 21 workers in development and marketing, education and community outreach, and direct services providing support for refugees and immigrants and their families.
"We believe that our work directly and positively impacts the lives of immigrant and refugee families in and around Pittsburgh,” said Rachael English, a refugee resettlement case manager. “We are unionizing to ensure that we are better able to serve our families with empathy and compassion."
The workers are organizing with the United Steelworkers (USW) in the hopes of winning fair compensation, a more transparent advancement and promotion structure, and more equitable health and safety policies for everyone.
If the unit’s request for voluntary recognition is denied, they will file for an official election through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.