COLUMBUS, OH. — Campaign workers working on the Ohio Democratic Party’s coordinated campaign, the Campaign for Ohio, have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement. This agreement comes two months after recognition of the union, following 11 bargaining sessions. The unit of statewide field staff includes around 100 field organizers, regional field directors, and digital organizers working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.
“As the first contract covering a statewide coordinated campaign, ratifying this agreement is a critical step for campaign workers,” said Laura Reimers, President of the Campaign Workers Guild. “Current industry standards require us to work more than 80 hours a week while earning far less than a $15 living wage. We started the Campaign Workers Guild with the vision that campaign work should be a sustainable and accessible career for everyone. Because Ohio workers fought tirelessly for this contract, we are one step closer to that reality.”
The collective bargaining agreement covers many areas critical to campaign workers’ day-to-day, such as a higher salary floor, support for driving and cell phone expenses, progressive discipline, and a guaranteed day off:
Day off and hours guidelines. Previously, ODP required staff to work seven days a week beginning 3 months before the election. This agreement guarantees a day off until 20 days out, and also includes out hours guidelines as well as protections for reasonable breaks.
Pay scale. Accounting for hours, campaign workers make far less than a living wage of $15 an hour. Through a salary increase, this agreement moves toward a fairer pay scale.
Stipend for gas. Ohio field staff, who are required to have a car for work, previously received no other compensation for driving expenses than gas cards, gas station gift certificates workers may use to put fuel in their cars. This agreement includes a monthly stipend to help cover fuel expenses, which ensures consistency, and is a step toward more stable and adequate support for vehicle costs.
Stipend for phone. Workers were previously required to use their own phones, including expensive cellular data, for work with no financial support from ODP. This agreement guarantees that, in the case ODP does not provide a work phone, workers will receive a stipend to help cover the cost of their phones.
Supply guarantees. Workers across the state have often found themselves without basic supplies and resources they need, such as potable water. This agreement guarantees that basic supplies will be available to all workers in their offices.
Progressive discipline and just cause. Campaign workers have previously been susceptible to termination with no process or clear cause. This agreement guarantees a progressive discipline process, and requires that no worker be terminated without just cause.
“We are proud to have fought for and won the first collective bargaining agreement for coordinated campaign workers in the nation.” said Jake McClelland, Field Organizer and lead negotiator. “This is a powerful step forward for many workers who want to continue in this work. I am proud to have stood side by side with my colleagues as we fought for recognition and this contract. This sort of action is the future of our work in Ohio, and I believe the future for campaign workers everywhere.”
The Campaign Workers Guild is a new independent national union representing non-management workers on electoral and issue-based campaigns.
If the Democratic Party is the savior of the American worker, then why the need for the union?