Alabama Arise, CWA celebrate first collective bargaining agreement

6 adults sitting at or standing by a table smiling after signing a contract. — Representatives from both Alabama Arise and Alabama Arise Workers United were on hand to sign their first collective bargaining agreement at the Arise office in Montgomery on May 19, 2025. Arise executive director Robyn Hyden is joined by Communications Workers of Alabama 3908 president Luther Land at the table. Above are AAWU steward Juliette Thornton and Arise staff members Jacob Smith, Presdelane Harris and Malee Galloway. (Photo by Bernadette Allen)

Alabama Arise and the staff union Alabama Arise Workers United (AAWU), represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), are proud to announce the ratification of their first collective bargaining agreement this month. This milestone reflects a collaborative, values-driven negotiation process and a shared commitment to justice, equity and dignity in the workplace.

The agreement, which the union members ratified unanimously, formalizes a strong foundation of mutual respect and solidarity between Arise leadership and AAWU-CWA members. It preserves longstanding workplace practices that support staff well-being and introduces key advancements that will enhance transparency and equity across the organization.

This positive bargaining experience builds on a strong foundation. In 2023, Arise staff unanimously signed union authorization cards to join CWA Local 3908. The organization’s staff and board leadership quickly responded by voluntarily recognizing the union.

The new agreement comes amid Alabama Arise’s deepening engagement with pro-worker and pro-labor policies in its public advocacy work.

“We’re thrilled to have reached this agreement,” said Whitney Washington, an Alabama Arise communications associate and an AAWU-CWA member. “Our values as an organization call us to live out our principles not just in our advocacy but in how we support one another as coworkers. This contract is an example of that.”

‘Walking the walk on the values we advocate for’

AAWU-CWA’s bargaining unit members voted 100% in support of the contract. That unanimity was a first for CWA’s District 3, which encompasses all right-to-work states in the Southeast. Both Arise and CWA described the bargaining process as respectful and solutions-oriented.

“Our members are proud of what we’ve achieved,” said Adam Keller, Alabama Arise’s worker power campaign director and an AAWU-CWA member. “This contract honors the strengths of Alabama Arise’s existing workplace culture while taking meaningful steps to strengthen fairness, job security and staff input.”

The contract locks in many benefits that Arise already provided staff. It also includes some powerful enhancements to those benefits. These include pay raises, 20 weeks of paid parental leave and an increase in paid time off.

“We see this agreement as a continuation of our mission as an organization that works to build a better, more inclusive Alabama for all,” Alabama Arise executive director Robyn Hyden said. “This contract protects so much of what makes Alabama Arise a great place to work, and it is one more way we’re walking the walk on the values we advocate for every day.”

CWA officials echoed that sentiment.

“This is what collective bargaining should look like,” said Andrell Hubbard, CWA’s District 3 Staff Representative. “It’s about partnership, listening and building workplaces where everyone can thrive. We’re excited about this model and what it means for movement organizations in the South.”

Arise leadership and AAWU-CWA members look forward to continuing to work together to advance policy changes to improve the lives of workers across Alabama and to deepen a workplace culture rooted in respect, democracy and shared purpose.