NextGen America and Campaign Workers Guild Sign Voluntary Recognition Agreement

San Francisco, CA — Today, NextGen America and Campaign Workers Guild (CWG) announced that they signed a voluntary recognition agreement in support of the NextGen Field Staff Union. NextGen America has agreed to recognize a bargaining unit of Regional Organizing Directors and Field Organizers organized by the Campaign Workers Guild.

“We’re excited to announce that we have signed a voluntary recognition agreement with the NextGen Field Staff Union and the Campaign Workers Guild. We’re proud of our staff for making their voices heard and we look forward to working in good faith at the bargaining table,” said Ben Wessel, Executive Director of NextGen America. “NextGen’s field staff is the heart and soul of our organization, and together, we’re committed to building the largest youth mobilization effort in American history to defeat Donald Trump and flip the Senate in 2020.”

“This next step for NextGen is exciting,” said Regional Organizing Director Anthony J. Zarzycki. “A union will not only enrich our efforts turning out the youth voter, but also show the country that we are not waiting until 2020 to fulfill our progressive values.”

“We are eager to move forward with the unionization process,” said Regional Organizing Director Jake Capistran. “To continue to do the work we love, we need to be guaranteed basic worker’s rights and a seat at the table. The youth vote is a strong mission but it will only ever be as strong as the coalition of young people leading the effort. Having the protections and solidarity of unionization will allow us to organize the best we possibly can for the elections to come.”

Per the agreement reached, over the coming weeks, the Campaign Workers Guild will organize a majority of the NextGen America field staff. After CWG demonstrates majority support, a neutral third party will conduct a card check, and negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement will begin immediately thereafter.