Bird Union Workers Tell Audubon Union Busting Won't Fly

[Omaha Steve]

More than two years into the fight for a new contract, union members say the National Audubon Society appears to be punishing them by withholding better benefits.

Avalon Edwards and Thomas Birmingham May 3, 2024



It had been just two weeks since Emily Lark gave birth to her second child. Her partner, Eva Lark, was already at the office, getting back into the groove of their grueling 70-hour work week as a public programs manager. In the middle of the day, while bouncing from one Zoom call to the next, Eva received a phone call from Emily. Something was off.

“I’m dizzy. I can’t catch my breath,” said Emily. At first, she had chalked it up to residual stress in the aftermath of an intense pregnancy. But the dizziness and shortness of breath wouldn’t go away, and when Emily called Eva, she was scared. ​“We need to go to the hospital now.”

At the hospital, Emily was promptly diagnosed with postpartum complications — preeclampsia, which, if untreated, can cause seizures, organ damage and high blood pressure. She was then admitted for an extended stay.

But Eva, an employee of the National Audubon Society for more than nine years, had already used up their allotted two weeks of paid parental leave. To look after Emily and their two young children, they were forced to use accrued vacation time.

FULL story here: https://inthesetimes.com/article/bird-union-workers-audubon-union-busting-contract-negotiations