Code for America just ratified its first union contract

Following 2021’s union recognition, Code for America Workers United just voted yes on their first collective bargaining agreement.

Code for America Workers United, the union for national coding brigade Code for America (CfA), is made up of the organization’s full-time workers across the country. Code for America formerly hosted local brigades in cities across the US, though those are not affiliated with the union. The union first formed in the fall of 2020 and was voluntarily recognized by leadership on Oct. 22, 2021, almost exactly two years before the date of this first contract.

Matt Bernius, a CfA principal researcher and bargaining committee member, told Technical.ly that when the union was first created, CfA was “three or four different organizations smushed together.” For many workers, experiences were very different depending on where they worked in the organization, he said.

“We really were interested in creating a consistent, sustainable experience for all of our colleagues and really finding ways to enshrine our values,” Bernius said. “A key value for us is always centering the people who are impacted by decisions in the decision-making process, so for us that meant ensuring that staff is involved in those decisions.”

The contract, which was approved on Friday, includes wage increases, expanding paid parental leave to 17 weeks, increasing paid family and medical leave to three weeks, and nine weeks of additional unpaid leave. It also offers new benefits like adoption and fertility support as well as gender-affirming care. The contract additionally expands worker protections against caste-based discrimination and intrusive monitoring and limits the work of contract and temporary workers, providing more opportunities for full-time staff. Finally, it established a neutral arbitration process for conflict between union members and staff.

Following recognition in 2021, contract negotiations began in 2022 and union members took part in both internal and external campaigning for a collective bargaining agreement. Negotiations broke down in April over what CfA positions could be part of the union and what would be considered management, resulting in a hearing with the National Labor Relations Board. Both parties are still waiting on a decision from the board. In August, CfA laid off 35 full-time workers in what it said was part of a new organizational strategy.

“Today’s agreement marks a truly historic moment for Code for America, the civic tech community, and the entire nonprofit sector,” Amanda Renteria, CEO of CfA, said in a statement announcing the news. “This [collective bargaining agreement] shows what is possible when we work together to improve systems for a new generation: a best-in-class benefits package that sets a model for technology nonprofits across the country. We look forward to being a resource for other organizations navigating the future of work.”

For Bernius, having the ratified contract will take a lot of guesswork out of everyone’s jobs — which is particularly important given the recent layoff. With the election next month, CfA is also heading into a particularly important season. Knowing that roles are stable, experiences will be consistent and that union representation will be available for conflicts, he said, is huge for employees.

“All of that just takes a cognitive load off of us and allows us to concentrate on really the critical thing that brought us all to Code for America, which is the mission of trying to improve the delivery of government services for the people who need the most,” Bernius said. “Our belief is that this will ultimately not only stabilize things for existing employees, but this will also, we believe, attract new talents.”

Outside of CfA, he hopes that this can be an example for other technologists and the work protections they’re looking for — especially because Code for America Workers United is a larger union, he said. With all the turmoil in the wake of COVID-19, he hopes that workers and companies can see the value in union protections.

“Really my lesson is: ‘Here are all the things that you thought you had that really can be taken away at a moment’s notice,’ and really see the importance for everyone to have a tech union,” Bernius said.

Code for America formerly hosted local brigade organizations for technologists to engage in civic tech solutions. In February of this year, CfA severed financial ties with the organizations. Local organizations are still operating, though DC’s recently changed its name to Civic Tech DC.