DPE Affiliates’ Professional Union Organizing Wins 2023

From ballet dancers in Texas to veterinary employees in Pennsylvania to doctors in Oregon, many professionals in a wide variety of occupations across the country joined together in union last year. The following is a list of some of the organizing victories the unions affiliated with the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) had in 2023:

Architecture

Sage and Coombe Architects (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW))

Arts, Entertainment, and Media

Adult Children (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE))

Alliance Theatre (Atlanta, GA) – Crewmembers (IATSE)

Anora (IATSE)

Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) – Production Assistants (PA’s), Line Producers, Production Supervisors, Assistant Production Supervisors and Bidding Producers (IATSE)

Ballet Memphis – Dancers (American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA))

Bally Sports Ohio & Great Lakes –  Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Guardians Broadcast Technicians (IATSE)

Basement Escape Room – Performers (Actors’ Equity (Equity))

Bird and the Bee (IATSE)

BSTV (Writers Guild of America East (WGAE))

Casa Pura (IATSE)

CNET (WGAE)

DC Lottery (Commercial) (IATSE)

Distinguished Concerts International New York (New Contract) (American Federation of Musicians (AFM))

Drunk Shakespeare – Actors (Equity)

Fantasy Life (IATSE)

Five Star Murder (IATSE)

Fort Wayne, IN (Musicians Prevailed in Strike) (AFM)

God’s Not Dead: Rise Up (IATSE)

Goodspeed Musical Theatre – Run Crew, Makeup, Wig and Hair Stylists, Costume Shop, and Scenic Shop Workers (IATSE)

Griffin in Summer (IATSE)

Griffith Observatory – Lecturers (Equity)

Here Lies Love (Agreement to Employ Union Members) (AFM)

Johnson (Bounce Network) (IATSE)

KVEA TV/Telemundo 52 – Anchors and Reporters (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA))

Magic Tavern – Performers (Equity)

Marvel Studios’ – Visual Effects (VFX) (IATSE)

McGee Media (WGAE)

Neighborly (Commercial) (IATSE)

Netflix – Production Accountants (IATSE)

NEURO TOUR – Performing Arts Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, and Massage Therapists (IATSE)

NewsHour (First contract) (SAG-AFTRA)

New Hampshire Public Radio (First contract) (SAG-AFTRA)

New York City Ballet Orchestra (New Contract) (AFM)

NYPR – Content Creators (SAG-AFTRA)

Opera Colorado – Singers, Dancers, and Stage Staff (AGMA)

Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) – Maintenance and Custodial Workers (IATSE)

PGA Tour (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW))

Philadelphia Ballet – Wardrobe Employees (IATSE)

Philadelphia Orchestra (New Contract) (AFM)

Philadelphia Symphonic Choir – Artists (AGMA)

Pushkin (WGAE)

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Reunion Show (IATSE)

Rooms To Go (Commercial) (IATSE)

Southern Charm Reunion (IATSE)

Southern New Hampshire University Arena (IATSE)

Star Garden – Performers (Equity)

Story Syndicate (WGAE)

Texas Ballet Theatre – Dancers (AGMA)

Tig Notaro “Hello Again” (IATSE)

Walt Disney Animation Studios – Production Employees (IATSE)

Waitress – Traveling Show (Settlement) (Equity)

We Strangers (IATSE)

WHQR (Wilmington, DE) (SAG-AFTRA)

WFAE (Charlotte, N.C.) (First Contract) (SAG-AFTRA)

Workinman Interactive (IATSE)

Your Monster (IATSE)

Education

Albany Leadership Charter for Girls – Teaching Faculty (American Federation of Teachers (AFT))

American Academy of Dramatic Arts – Teaching Faculty (AFT)

BASIS Tucson North Charter School – Teachers and Professional Employees (AFT)

Bertha-Hewitt – Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel (PSRPs) (AFT)

Brown University – Faculty (AFT)

Brown University – Undergrad Teaching Assistants (AFT)

Chicago, IL (School Administrators Gained Collective Bargaining Rights) (AFSA)

Chula Vista, CA – School Administrators and Principals (AFSA)

Century Union School District – Teaching Aides (AFT)

Commack Schools – Security Guards (AFT)

Culver City Unified School District – Certificated School Counselors (AFT) 

Elmwood School District – PSRPs (AFT)

Fusion Academy (Upper West Side) – Teaching Faculty (AFT)

Fordham University – Resident Assistants (Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU))

Frederick Community College – Faculty (AFT)

Garfield Academy – Non-Professional Staff (AFT)

Growing Up Green Charter Elementary School – Faculty (AFT)

Hinsdale (New York) – PSRPs (AFT)

Hope Learning Academy – Professional & Non-Professional Teachers and Staff (AFT)

Horseheads School District – PSRPs (AFT)

Howard Community College – Faculty (AFT)

Illinois District 128 – Educational Support Personnel (AFT)

Illinois State University – Faculty (AFT)

Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri – School Administrators and Principals (AFSA)

KIPP Columbus Charter School – Charter School Faculty (AFT)

Lebanon, CT – School Administrators and Principals (American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA))

Maryland School for the Deaf – Teaching Faculty (AFT)

Meriden, CT – School Administrators and Principals (AFSA)

Meriden Federation of Teachers – Behavior Techs and Tutors (AFT)

Miami University (Ohio) – Faculty (AFT)

Miami University (Ohio) – Librarians (AFT)

Michigan School of Psychology – Part-time Professors (AFT)

Montana Law Enforcement Academy – Instructors (AFT)

Montgomery County, MD – School Administrators and Principals (AFSA)

Moraine Valley Community College – PSRPs (AFT)

New Britain – School Personnel (AFT)

Northwood Academy Charter School – Teaching Faculty (AFT)

Patchogue-Medford – School Guards (AFT)

Prairie Crossing Charter School – PSRPs (AFT)

Reed College – Housing Advisors (OPEIU)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Resident Assistants (OPEIU)

Rochester, MN – School Administrators and Principals (AFSA)

Southern California  – School Administrators and Principals (AFSA)

Swarthmore College – Resident Assistants (OPEIU)

The Living School – Teaching Faculty (AFT)

The New School  – Jazz Faculty (New Contract) (AFM)

University of Pennsylvania – Resident Assistants (OPEIU)

University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth – Graduate Students (AFT)

Walla Walla Community College – Professional Staff (AFT)

West Hartford – Educational Personnel (AFT)

Federal Government

USDA (American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE))

Defense Health Agency (DHA) (AFGE)

Department of Defense (DOD) (Federal Government Employees in Europe) (AFGE)

EPA (Ann Arbor, MI) – Remote employees (AFGE)

Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) (AFGE)

Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) (AFGE)

(AFGE added over 15,000 new members through their organizing wins.)

Fire Departments and Emergency Services

Alexander, AR (International Association of Firefighters (IAFF))

Allegany, MD (IAFF)

Alton, TX (IAFF)

Baraboo, WI (IAFF)

Berkeley County, SC (IAFF)

Berne Township, OH (IAFF)

Bexar-Bulverde, TX (IAFF)

Boardman, OR (IAFF)

Buhl, ID (IAFF)

Campton and Thornton, NH (IAFF)

Cayce, SC (IAFF)

Clinton, ME (IAFF)

Douglas County, GA (IAFF)

Dryden, NY (IAFF)

East Baton Rouge (Louisiana) (IAFF)

Egg Harbor, NJ (IAFF)

El Paso County, CO (IAFF)

Floyds Knobs, IN (IAFF)

Harrodsburg, KY (IAFF)

Hinsdale, IA (IAFF)

Johnson County, TX (IAFF)

Kansas City, KS (IAFF)

Lake Cunningham (South Carolina) (IAFF)

Mahtomedi, MN (IAFF)

Manheim, PA (IAFF)

Marksville, LA (IAFF)

Mercersburg, PA (IAFF)

Monclova Township, OH (IAFF)

Mount Airy, NC (IAFF)

Newark, NJ (IAFF)

Newburgh Heights, OH (IAFF)

Orange County, VA (IAFF)

Palm Beach Gardens (Florida) (IAFF)

Plymouth, IN (IAFF)

Raymond, ME (IAFF)

Royse City, TX (IAFF)

Sam Bass (Texas) (IAFF)

Saratoga Springs, UT (IAFF)

South Area (Wisconsin) (IAFF)

South Madison, IN (IAFF)

Spaceport America (New Mexico) (IAFF)

Springridge, LA (IAFF)

Springville, UT (IAFF)

Sterling, OH (IAFF)

Summerville, SC (IAFF)

Templeton, CA (IAFF)

Torrance County, NM (IAFF)

Trumansburg, NY (IAFF)

Vermillion County, IN (IAFF)

Warsaw, IN (IAFF)

Waterville, OH (IAFF)

Webster, MA (IAFF)

West Plains, WA (IAFF)

Whitfield, GA (IAFF)

Wilmette, IL (IAFF)

Yuma County, AZ (IAFF)

175th (Maryland) (IAFF)

(IAFF added 9,400 new members in 2023.)

Healthcare

Albany Good Samaritan (Oregon) – Case Managers (AFT)

Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center (Oregon) - Techs (AFT)

Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinators (Ohio) – RNs (AFT)

Central Vermont Medical Center – Techs (AFT)

Central Vermont Medical Center – RNs (AFT)

Confluence Health (Washington) – RNs (AFT)

Complete Care at Harborage (New Jersey) – Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) (AFT)

Cumberland Certified Medical Assistants (Wisconsin) (AFT)

Good Samaritan (Oregon) – RN Case Managers (AFT)

Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health – Registered Nurses (OPEIU)

Legacy Clinics (Oregon) – RNs (AFT)

Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center, Unity Center for Behavioral Health (AFT)

Legacy Meridian Park (Oregon) – Lab Techs (AFT)

Legacy Mount Hood (Oregon) – RNs (AFT)

Mary Bridge Medical Center (Washington) – RNs (AFT)

Michigan Medicine – Diagnostic Imaging Techs (AFT)

MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital (Puyallup, WA) - Physical Therapists, Occupational 

Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Pharmacists, Case Managers, Social Workers, Medical Technologists, Exercise Physiologists, and Dietitians (IAMAW)

Queens Hospital – Mailroom (OPEIU)

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center - Respiratory Therapists (AFT)

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center – Surgical Technicians (AFT)

PeaceHealth Bellingham (Washington) - Palliative Care RNs (AFT)

PeaceHealth Sacred Heart (Eugene, OR) –  LPNs (AFT)

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center (Washington) – Pharmacy Buyers (Washington) (AFT)

Providence Home Health and Hospice Professionals (Oregon) (AFT)

Providence St. Vincent's (Oregon) – Medical Center MDs (Oregon) (AFT)

Providence Women's Clinic (Oregon) – Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, and Nurse Midwives (AFT)

Queens Hospital – Mailroom (OPEIU)

Rum River (Minnesota) – Behavior Analysts (AFT)

Rutgers Early Learning Research Academy Nurse Educators (AFT)

St. Peter's Health (Montana) – RNs (AFT)

University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) – Patient Care Coordinators (AFT)

UVMMC – Technical Staff (AFT)

UVMMC – Support Staff (AFT)

University of Michigan Health System Behavioral – Health Techs (AFT)

University of Michigan Health System – Medical Assistants (AFT)

University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) –  Tech Workers (Vermont) (AFT)

Wenatchee Valley Hospital (Washington) – RNs (Washington) (AFT)

University of Michigan Technical Employees, Medical Diagnostic Unit – Medical Techs (AFT)

Wayne State University (Michigan) – Resident Physicians (AFT)

Labor

SEIU Communications Center (Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA))

Libraries

Emma Clark Library – Librarians (AFT)

Pickerington Library – Librarians (AFT)

Museum 

National Public Housing Museum (IAMAW)

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (United Steelworkers (USW))

Nonprofit

Advocates for Human Rights (OPEIU)

Alameda County Community Food Bank (OPEIU)

Arise Chicago (OPEIU)

Freedom House (OPEIU)

Garment Workers Center (OPEIU)

GrowNYC (Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU))

Housing Rights Committee San Francisco (OPEIU)

International Rescue Committee (Dallas) (OPEIU)

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (OPEIU)

National Network of Abortion Funds (OPEIU)

Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OPEIU)

ROOTS Young Adult Shelter (OPEIU)

Tree House Humane Society (IAMAW)

Worker Justice Wisconsin (OPEIU)

 

Retail

Barnes & Noble (Bloomington, IL) (RWDSU)

Barnes & Noble (Park Slope) (RWDSU)

Barnes & Noble (Rutgers) (RWDSU)

Barnes & Noble (Union Square) (RWDSU)

REI (Chicago) (RWDSU)

REI (Cleveland) (RWDSU)

State and Local Government 

Farmington, Illinois – Bus Drivers (AFT)

Ithaca Executive Association – Municipal Employees (AFT)

Miles City – Classified Employees (AFT)

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks – Bear, Wolf, and Mountain Lion Specialists (AFT)

Tech

Bandcamp (OPEIU)

Experis - Software Test Engineers, and Data Software Analysts (IAMAW)

Findhelp (OPEIU)

Utilities

Bordentown NJ Water and Town Employees (Bordentown, New Jersey) (Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA))

City of Louisville (Louisville, Ohio) (UWUA)

Cogentrix Energy Power Management, LLC (Rumford Power) (Rumford, Maine) (UWUA)

Cresswell Heights Joint Authority (Creswell Heights, PA) (UWUA)

Francies Electric International LLC (Bakersfield, California) (UWUA)

Vandenburg American Water Military Services (Lompoc, California) (UWUA)

Village of Bosque Farms (Bosque Farms, New Mexico) (UWUA)

West Penn Power and Potomac Edison (Southwest Pennsylvania and Maryland) (UWUA)

Veterinary Services

Eye Care for Animals (IAMAW)

Lehigh Valley Animal Hospital (IAMAW)

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