Just Before the Mid-Terms Elections, North Carolina's Democratic Party Allegedly Wants To Cut Its Field Staff's Pay.

"NCDP would not agree to meet for negotiations until right before the election to run out the clock on agreeing to a fair contract..."

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Note: As of this writing, the NCDP Field Staff Union has not responded as to whether the union is currently on strike or not. If the union does respond, this post will be updated accordingly.

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A mere two weeks before the 2022 mid-term elections, the North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) is embroiled in a labor dispute with its own unionized staff.

The dispute, which has spilled into the ‘Twitterverse’ Sunday evening appears to be over proposed “substantial” cuts in pay and benefits, according to a series of tweets from the NCDP Field Staff Union, which is part of the Campaign Workers Guild.

According to the union (linked here), the “NCDP would not agree to meet for negotiations until right before the election to run out the clock on agreeing to a fair contract, but instead sent a counter-proposal which reflects a substantial reduction in pay and benefits when compared with the 2020 contract.”

NCDP Field Staff Union @NCDemsUnite

Weeks ago, our unit proposed a new contract with NCDP addressing pay, safety, and healthcare concerns. NCDP would not agree to meet for negotiations until right before the election to run out the clock on agreeing to a fair contract, (1/5)

NCDP Field Staff Union @NCDemsUnite

but instead sent a counter-proposal which reflects a substantial reduction in pay and benefits when compared with the 2020 contract. This is unacceptable. As wages and benefits trend up in the industry, both nationally and in NC, (2/5)

NCDP Field Staff Union @NCDemsUnite

NCDP wants to cut benefits and pay for the organizers who make the campaign possible. NCDP's proposed contract eliminates severance pay, eliminates an entire month of healthcare coverage, eliminates the technology stipend, and includes no raise. (3/5)

NCDP Field Staff Union @NCDemsUnite

Other field workers in NC are making $20-25/hr, while Coordinated Organizers are still paid $15.36/hr, the same as in 2020. We will not accept this dramatic cut in our compensation, and we will not accept a contract without fair pay. (4/5)

NCDP Field Staff Union @NCDemsUnite

.@NCDemParty remember: this campaign cannot run without us. We deserve a fair contract. (5/5)

In response, late Sunday evening, the NC Democratic Party tweeted out a statement disputing the union’s claims:

Screenshot of NCDP’s tweet

NC Democratic Party @NCDemParty

Obviously, the NC Democratic Party’s internal battle has not escaped the attention of the NC Republican Party, which tweeted out this:

NCGOP @NCGOP

If this is how the @NCDemParty treats its own staff, acting in bad faith to avoid paying the true costs of their horrible policies, imagine how little concern they have for YOU. NC, VOTE REPUBLICAN! #ncpol

NCDP Field Staff Union @NCDemsUnite

Weeks ago, our unit proposed a new contract with NCDP addressing pay, safety, and healthcare concerns. NCDP would not agree to meet for negotiations until right before the election to run out the clock on agreeing to a fair contract, (1/5)

Presumably, the NCDP will resolve this issue before the mid-term elections on November 8th…then again, perhaps not.

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