The movement to unionize congressional staffers took a step forward Monday as Sen. Edward J. Markey formally recognized his aides’ bargaining unit and signed a ground rules agreement, setting the stage for contract negotiations to begin in earnest.
Markey voluntarily recognized the union last year, but this made things official. The Massachusetts Democrat’s office is the first — and only so far — to unionize in the Senate and will now join a handful of House offices. So far, no congressional office has signed a collective bargaining agreement, except for then-Rep. Andy Levin’s staff, which entered an agreement only shortly before the Michigan Democrat left office.
Both management and the junior staffers applauded the development. “The work of the Senate and our democracy wouldn’t happen without congressional staffers, and I am proud to recognize their contributions and the effort of my staff to unionize,” Markey said. “I thank them for everything they do every day, and I look forward to continuing to engage with them and the Congressional Workers Union.”
