We are happy to report that the Generation Hope Board of Directors has acknowledged receipt of our open letter sent on August 2. In their initial response, they have stated that they are taking our concerns seriously and are reviewing the information provided.

While this acknowledgment is a positive first step, we eagerly anticipate more substantive communication and concrete actions to address the issues raised in our letter. Our goal remains to foster a workplace that truly embodies the values of equity, inclusion, and empowerment that are central to Generation Hope's mission.

We invite all supporters of our cause to read the full letter, which we have made publicly available. We believe transparency is crucial in this process and encourage everyone to join us in calling for meaningful action to address these critical issues.

Moving forward, we will continue to keep all stakeholders informed of any developments in our communication with the Board. We remain committed to working collaboratively towards positive change within our organization, always keeping in mind the best interests of our staff, our Scholars, and the communities we serve.

Today, the Hope United Organizing Committee took a significant step by sending a comprehensive 11-page letter to the Board of Directors of Generation Hope. This letter outlines serious concerns about the organization's practices, culture, and leadership. The decision to send this letter came after Generation Hope leadership declined to recognize the 14-9 vote in favor of unionization and filed objections to prevent the union's formation, despite the clear democratic voice of the staff.

Key issues addressed in the letter include:

1. Alarming turnover rates and leadership instability

2. Equity and inclusion issues within the organization

3. Financial mismanagement and potential labor law violations

4. Union suppression tactics and alleged retaliation against organizers

The Hope United Organizing Committee believes these issues require immediate attention and action from the Board. We await their response and hope for constructive dialogue to address these critical matters.

Generation Hope has filed formal objections with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regarding the recent union election. These objections, submitted on July 29, 2024, cite three main issues that Generation Hope believes interfered with a free and fair election:

1. Allegations that Workers United promised to pay certain employees' union dues if the union won the election.

2. Claims that the Union Organizing Committee held numerous virtual group meetings with eligible employees during work hours and within 24 hours of polls opening in both the initial and rerun elections.

3. An email sent by the Union Organizing Committee to all eligible employees hours before the July 1 manual election, discussing anonymous threatening emails received by committee members, police involvement, workplace safety concerns, and attributing these issues to the work environment.

In response to these objections, Hope United has issued a statement strongly rejecting all claims. Their response includes:

• A categorical denial of any offers to pay union dues, challenging Generation Hope to provide evidence of such claims.

• Contesting the assertion that union meetings were held during working hours, stating that all meetings were carefully scheduled outside of work time and in full compliance with labor law guidelines.

• Confirmation that union organizing committee members did receive anonymous threatening emails, which were promptly reported to both law enforcement and Generation Hope's management.

• Maintaining that the election was conducted fairly and in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

• Expressing concern about Generation Hope's investigation into the threatening emails, suggesting it has disproportionately focused on those who received the threats.

• A request for the NLRB to carefully review the facts, dismiss the objections, and certify the election results in a timely manner.

The NLRB will now review these objections and responses to determine whether they are sufficient to warrant setting aside the results of this election in favor of holding a new election. This process may take several weeks, and we will continue to provide updates as we receive more information from the NLRB.

The long-awaited union election vote count has been completed today under the supervision of NLRB representatives. After careful tallying of both in-person and mail-in ballots, we can now announce the results:

14 votes in favor of unionization 9 votes against unionization

With a majority voting in favor, the results indicate that employees have chosen union representation. It's important to note that these results are still subject to a seven-day period during which either party may file objections with the NLRB regarding the conduct of the election.

We want to thank all employees for their participation in this important process. Regardless of individual voting choices, your engagement in this decision demonstrates a commitment to shaping the future of our workplace.

In the coming days, we will provide more information about the next steps in this process, including any potential objection period and, if the results are certified, the initiation of collective bargaining discussions.

Today marks a significant milestone in our organization's history as we conduct the rescheduled union election. The in-person voting process is taking place at the GH central office from 12:30pm to 1:30pm as planned.

There has been a steady stream of employees exercising their right to vote throughout the designated time slot. NLRB representatives are on-site to oversee the process and ensure its integrity. They have reported that the voting is proceeding smoothly, with no irregularities or issues observed so far.

For our New Orleans-based colleagues, we want to remind you that your mail-in ballots should be sent back as soon as possible to ensure they arrive in time for the final count. If you haven't received your ballot yet, please contact the NLRB Regional office immediately at (410) 962-2822.

We want to emphasize that regardless of the outcome, this election represents an important exercise in workplace democracy. Every eligible voter's participation is crucial in determining our collective future.

As a reminder, the final vote count, which will include both today's in-person votes and the mail-in ballots from New Orleans, is scheduled for July 22nd. Until then, we ask for your patience as we await the final results.

We appreciate everyone's cooperation and professionalism throughout this process. Regardless of individual voting choices, your engagement demonstrates a commitment to our organization and its future. We will continue to provide updates as we move forward, and we thank you for your continued focus on our mission and the important work we do for our Scholars and their families.

Due to unforeseen complications with the handling of mail-in ballots by the United States Postal Service (USPS), we must conduct a new election to ensure the integrity of the voting process. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has approved the following arrangements:

A new in-person election will take place at the GH central office on July 1, 2024, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. All eligible employees at the central office are expected to participate during this time frame. For our New Orleans-based employees, we will continue with the mail-in ballot process to accommodate their location. These employees should expect to receive new ballots shortly and are advised to return them promptly.

The final count of all votes, including both in-person and mail-in ballots, is scheduled for July 22, 2024. This delay ensures that all mail-in ballots from New Orleans have sufficient time to arrive and be included in the final tally.

Voting Information

You should be receiving your voting packet in the mail in the next few days. Employees receiving this email who have not received a ballot in the mail by Tuesday, June 11, 2024, should call the NLRB Regional office at (410) 962-2822 to request a voting packet.

Please make sure to follow the instructions on the ballot packet exactly to ensure your vote is counted. We'll be sending out a video as soon as possible walking you through the voting process, but if you're as riled up as I am and want to get it mailed in as quickly as possible, here are a few tips to ensure your vote is counted.

1. Ballots for the election were mailed out from the National Labor Relations Board on June 4, 2025. The ballot will come with written instructions and two envelopes.

2. Make sure to mark either "Yes" or "No" with a clear X. Do not use any other symbols or write anything anywhere else on the ballot, as this will also invalidate your vote.

3. Once you've checked your box, put the ballot in the smaller envelope. Then place the smaller envelope in the large envelope. Seal and sign the back of the large envelope.

3. Your ballot must arrive in Baltimore by June 25th, 2024 at 3pm to be counted. To ensure it arrives on time, make sure to mail your ballot no later than Thursday, June 20th through USPS.

4. The mailing envelope comes pre-stamped, so no need to add additional postage.

If you have any questions about the voting process, no matter how you intend to vote, please don't hesitate to reach out! We want every single person's vote, whether in support of or against the union, to be counted.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued their official Decision and Direction of Election, which outlines the details and procedures for our mail ballot vote. You can find a copy of the full NLRB ruling linked above.

Key Takeaways:

• Voter Eligibility: If you were employed by Generation Hope as of May 18, 2024, you are eligible to vote in this election. The NLRB set this date based on the end of the most recent pay period, since the hearing took place last week but the decision was issued this week.

• Ballot Mailing: The NLRB will mail out ballot packets to eligible voters on June 4, 2024. If you believe you are eligible but do not receive a ballot by June 11, 2024, please contact the NLRB Regional Office immediately at (410) 962-2822 to request a duplicate ballot kit.

• Ballot Return Deadline: To be counted, your completed mail ballot must be received by the NLRB Regional Office no later than June 25, 2024, when the ballots will be counted. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, sign the envelope as indicated, and mail your ballot back with sufficient time for delivery.

• NLRB Authority: The Hope United Organizing Committee trusts in the NLRB's established guidelines and expertise in overseeing union elections. We will adhere to and respect their decisions to ensure a fair and impartial process that protects the rights of all employees.

• Your Voice Matters: We encourage every eligible staff member to participate in this election and have a say in our collective future at Generation Hope. Remember, your vote is confidential and will be mailed directly to the NLRB.

• Open Communication: If you have any questions about the election process, the NLRB ruling, or unionization in general, please reach out to the Organizing Committee. We are committed to transparency, respecting all viewpoints, and providing the information you need to make an informed decision.

As we navigate this process together, we remain dedicated to collaborating with all of you to build an even stronger Generation Hope. We believe that through open dialogue and good faith engagement, we can achieve positive outcomes for everyone involved.

We are saddened and hurt by the continued anti-union retoric used by leadership to influence the outcome of the union election. We want to reiterate that the unionization is organized and led by Generation Hope staff with only minor support from Workers United. We want to work with leadership to make Generation Hope the best it can be. When you attack the union, you are attacking your staff.

We encourage all staff eligible to educate themselves on their own about what they want and reflect on their own values and what makes sense for them. The union committee is aiways open and availble to discuss why we feel unionization is necessary and how we are hoping we can strengthen Generation Hope through unionization. This is your vote to decide -- no one else's. We understand that some of staff may be skeptical about unions or may choose to vote against unionization. That is your right, and we respect it.

Anyone - bargaining staff or non, supervisors, leadership, community - can speak to us. We hate that it needs to be said, but we are not a scary, faceless entity. We want to talk and listen. We hold weekly union meetings both in-person and through zoom. We are here, happy to talk to anyone.

On April 22, 2024, after receiving a majority of support from eligible employees, we petitioned Generation Hope's leadership for voluntary recognition of our union. However, the leadership declined to voluntarily recognize our union and instead referred us to file a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for an election.

Following their decision, we filed a petition with the NLRB last week to initiate the formal election process. The next steps will involve the NLRB working with both the union and the employer to determine the details of the election.

Once these details are finalized, a secret ballot election will be held, allowing all eligible employees to cast their votes either for or against unionization. If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of the union, the NLRB will certify the union as the exclusive bargaining representative for the employees in the bargaining unit.