Idaho Democratic Party staff votes to unionize

Idaho Democratic Party representatives report the party’s four employees have voted to authorize the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 291 (IBEW) as their collective bargaining representative. The vote was unanimous. This makes the IDP the first state democratic party in the nation to unionize its staff.

“Although it creates some challenges, I am pleased our staff has decided to unionize,” said Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Bert Marley. “We believe that every Idahoan deserves a real chance to achieve the American Dream and this means allowing workers to organize, to bargain collectively, and to earn livable wages. Our staff is setting an example of what it means to ‘walk the talk’ for other state parties and progressive organizations around the country.”

“I want to congratulate the staff at the Idaho Democratic Party for becoming the first state party in the United States to unionize. We’re excited to represent them in this process,” said IBEW 291 Business Manager Mark Zaleski. “This is a huge milestone for the IBEW and the IDP.”

Idaho Democratic Party staff along with Local 291, will work with the chairman and party officers to come up with a contract that addresses their concerns and meets both management and staff’s needs.