ACLU of Kentucky and ACLU-KY United Announce First Union Contract

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky and ACLU of Kentucky United — represented by the Baltimore-Washington News Guild (CWA Local 32035) — proudly announce the signing of a first union contract.

The ACLU of Kentucky voluntarily recognized its employees’ union in 2023. Since then, staff and management have worked collaboratively to craft a collective bargaining agreement. We moved the bargaining process forward while simultaneously navigating the Kentucky General Assembly, harm reduction in a forced-pregnancy state, two high-stakes elections, and an avalanche of executive overreach from the Federal government.

A collective statement from the union’s bargaining team, which at the time of ratification included Samantha Sluder, Staff Representative, Baltimore-Washington News Guild, Heather Ayer, ACLU of Kentucky United, Kungu Njuguna, ACLU of Kentucky United, and Richelle Harris, ACLU of Kentucky United:

"ACLU-KY United is proud to have worked collaboratively with management to ratify this collective bargaining agreement, which reflects ACLU-KY’s commitment to foster a healthy work environment. We believe unions make workplaces stronger, and we look forward to joining the robust labor community in Kentucky. As we celebrate ACLU-KY’s 70th anniversary this year, we are proud to include this achievement in our organization’s enduring legacy."

A statement from Amber Duke (she/her), executive director of the ACLU of Kentucky:

“We are pleased to codify policies to benefit our staff through this collective bargaining agreement, which formalizes our commitment to a healthy work environment that fosters fairness and mutual respect.”

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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislature and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms.