Unionizing Nonprofits: Balancing Worker Rights & Organizational Values with Christina Rousseau

Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutions

Can you support your cause AND prioritize worker's rights? Nonprofit workplaces often come with an expectation of self-sacrifice. Staff are expected to work long hours, accept below-market pay, and tolerate unfair conditions – all in service of the mission. But what if there's a better way?
Join Maria Rio and Christina Rousseau, a labor organizer and union advocate, to explore the nuanced process of unionizing in the nonprofit sector. Christina shares her firsthand experiences—from organizing her workplace to working within unions—and dives into how unions can balance worker rights with organizational goals. This episode covers key aspects of collective bargaining, power dynamics, and how nonprofits can align union practices with values like equity and community-centric fundraising.

Gain actionable insights on protecting workers’ rights, negotiating collective agreements, and navigating the complexities of leadership in unionized nonprofits.
Unionizing Nonprofits: Balancing Worker Rights & Organizational Values — The Highlights:

• Understanding the role of unions in nonprofit organizations.
• Common challenges and misconceptions about unionization in the nonprofit sector.
• Balancing equity and values with standardized union practices.
• Steps for starting a unionization process in your nonprofit.
• Practical advice for managers and employees navigating unionization.

🎧 Listen to more episodes for actionable fundraising tips and insights on nonprofit leadership, nonprofit governance, donor engagement, productivity & tools, and nonprofit storytelling strategies!
About Christina Rousseau:
Having led a successful unionization effort in her former nonprofit role and now working as a union representative, Christina offers a unique 360-degree view of the possibilities and challenges unions bring to the nonprofit sector.

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Christina Rousseau on Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/christina-rousseau
• Check out the Website: https://psacunion.ca/
• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/
• Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/new
• Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/krjZ871CUoo

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