The employees of Western Watersheds Project (WWP) announced the formation and official voluntary recognition of the Western Watersheds Workers (WWW) union. This union is rooted in a profound appreciation for the mission and culture of the organization and management’s understanding of the value of, and appreciation for employees.
While some organizations unionize in response to challenging working conditions or significant grievances, employees at WWP enjoy excellent working conditions and benefits under its current leadership. WWP has cultivated an inclusive, supportive working environment and encourages staff to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusiveness training on a regular basis.
“Our decision to unionize is not a critique of the current work-place culture but rather a validation of the good working conditions and the sense of value felt by employees,” said Cyndi Tuell, the president of the newly formed union. In a letter to WWP’s executive director, deputy director, and board, signed by all union eligible employees, WWW stated they formed the union because they felt valued and appreciated as employees and wanted to ensure future generations of environmental activists have the opportunity to enjoy a positive work environment. “We believe that organizing now, during a period of stability, good communication, and strong leadership, is a sensible step that will enhance the organization and its mission,” continued Tuell.
“We are proud to support the formation of the Western Watersheds Workers union,” said Erik Molvar, executive director of WWP since 2016. “Our employees are the heart and soul of our organization, and their voices and perspectives are essential to our continued success. We look forward to working together with the union to ensure that our organization remains a great place to work and a leader in our field.”
“The Board of Directors fully supports the decision of the workers to unionize,” said Kelley Weston, Vice President of the WWP Board of Directors. “This decision reflects the strength and health of our organization, and we look forward to continuing to work together to advance our mission of protecting and restoring western watersheds and wildlife.”
The union appreciates the forward-looking leadership and management of the organization, whose mission is to protect and restore public lands in the Western US, and thanked the executive director and deputy director for supporting the union and agreeing to voluntary recognition. Western Watersheds Project is a leader in providing a positive working environment to staff so that they can focus their energy on conserving wildlife and restoring habitats.
“We have tried to create positive working conditions for our staff at Western Watersheds Project, and we look forward to working with the union to continue that tradition,” said Greta Anderson, deputy director of Western Watersheds Project.
All fourteen union-eligible employees signed union cards authorizing WWW to represent them in collective bargaining. “Our decision to unionize and the voluntary recognition we’ve received are a testament to the strong culture and values of Western Watersheds Project,” said Tuell. “We look forward to negotiating our first collective bargaining contract with management and the Board to ensure that employee voices continue to be heard and that the organization continues to thrive long into the future.”
Western Watersheds Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring western watersheds and wildlife through education, public policy initiatives, and legal advocacy.