FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Kentucky Democratic Party workers have unionized and joined IBEW Local 369 and entered into a collective agreement, the party said Tuesday.
The KDP joins a growing group of unionized states across the country.
The organizational efforts of the employees were voluntarily recognized and supported by the KDP leadership.
“I know former chairman Ben Self was proud to have enthusiastically endorsed the right of staff to seek union representation and to enter into a collective agreement,” said Colmon Elridge, chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party.
“Unions have always been the backbone of our working families and the economy. Democrats believe in the power of the labor movement and understand the role of work in securing rights, dignity and safety in the workplace. This process was an important formal recognition of this relationship and the targeted incorporation of our long-standing values into our work. I think it’s a great step forward for the future of the Kentucky Democratic Party, ”Elridge concluded.
IBEW Local 369 was delighted that it was chosen by KDP employees to represent them.
“Representing the Union is a hotly contested right that many of us would see. One of the goals of IBEW is “to improve the moral, intellectual and social conditions of our members and their families and loved ones for the sake of higher standards of citizenship,” said Gene Holthouser, corporate representative, IBEW Local 369.
“There are three words on the back of the IBEW Constitution that were true in 1891 and still apply today. “It takes courage”. It takes courage to stand up when you see a coworker being wronged. It takes courage to speak about issues that affect our members and our profession. It takes courage to do the right thing even when it’s not popular. These are the ideals we want to live by and we welcome the KDP to our ranks, ”concluded Holthouser.
The unionized employees of the KDP jointly made the following statement on behalf of their membership:
“We asked for support and recognition of our right to organize. Our leadership has worked in good faith to negotiate to ensure that we, as Kentucky Democrats, live up to our values. We strongly believe in the importance of building and maintaining long-term organizational infrastructure as a means of achieving a just and inclusive Democratic Party in Kentucky. We came together and organized around a single common goal: to make the Kentucky Democratic Party the best possible place to work for everyone now and in the future. “
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