Workers at the Washington Area Bicyclist Association received a commitment for voluntary recognition from their employer just days after announcing their intent to form a union with Transport Workers Union of America Local 320.
This is the first time The TWU has organized employees at a bike-related non-profit after years of successfully organizing mechanics, technicians, and other workers at bikeshare companies across the country.
“WABA workers are an important cog in Washington, DC’s multi-modal public transport network,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said. “They are a critical component of one of the nation’s busiest biking networks. We look forward to winning their first contract and improving the lives of workers and their families.”
Workers who will join the TWU include WABA’s Trail Rangers, who ride their bikes across the Washington, DC, area and perform maintenance work while assisting bikers. The unit also includes workers who run WABA’s membership and events, bicycle advocacy, and educational programming.
“A few of us started conversations about organizing our workplace and got connected with TWU Local 320, and their willingness to work with us was exciting,” said Kevin O’Brien, who works for WABA as their Virginia Organizer and was involved in the organizing effort with the TWU. “We saw their work with bikeshare groups and felt like it was a good fit. This could be a really challenging four years ahead of us. A lot of WABA’s funding comes through grants. We want to ensure that whatever comes, we’re navigating it together.”
TWU Local 320 currently represents Capital Bikeshare DC workers and is the country’s largest bikeshare workers union.
WABA workers are ready to win a first contract that provides more pay transparency and fairness while addressing quality-of-life issues, particularly with Trail Rangers, who are out in the field. Once WABA officially recognizes the unit, the National Labor Relations Board will receive notice of the recognition and enable contract negotiations to begin without proceeding through the cumbersome election process.
“We are excited to organize our first non-profit in the bicycle space outside of bikeshare workgroups,” TWU Local 320 Organizer Jason Franz said. “We believe WABA is a natural fit in Local 320 as we expand our reach in the micromobility industry nationwide. We’re ready to negotiate and win a first contract that improves the lives of working families in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.”