(NEW YORK, NY, JUNE 28, 2024) – Today, SAGE announced its agreement to voluntarily recognize the SAGE Workers Union, which is affiliated with the Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153.
On June 3, the SAGE Workers Union notified SAGE that employees had chosen to unionize. SAGE’s management responded positively that same day by expressing its intent to voluntarily recognize the Union once majority support was established. Since then, SAGE and the Union have agreed to the composition of the bargaining unit, worked out an agreement on a process for voluntary recognition, and completed the neutral card-check process to confirm the Union’s majority support.
SAGE believes that advocacy and services with and on behalf of LGBTQ+ older adults are essential common goals and will work with the Union toward reaching a collective bargaining agreement as thoughtfully and expeditiously as possible.
“SAGE recognizes the outstanding contributions and talents of our staff, who drive our organization’s work and are at the heart of our success on behalf of our community’s elders. We have voluntarily recognized the SAGE Workers Union and look forward to a constructive collective bargaining process that results in reaching a contract in good faith that aligns with SAGE’s core values, including elder voices come first; respect and compassion; and diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Michael Adams, SAGE’s CEO.
About SAGE
SAGE is the world’s oldest organization dedicated to advocacy, services, and innovations to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ+) elders everywhere age with the dignity and respect they deserve. Founded in 1978, SAGE offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers, advocates for public policy changes, provides education and technical assistance for aging providers and LGBTQ+ community organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, and cultural competency training through SAGECare. SAGE is headquartered in NYC with collaborative partnerships across the United States and globally. Learn more at sageusa.org.
