Kickstarter Calls Itself Progressive. But About That Union.

From the time the unionization effort became public in March, it was contentious within the company. Days after organizers announced their intent to unionize, three nonmanagerial employees sent an email to the entire staff voicing dissent. Organizers say that a majority of eligible employees now support unionization.

Kickstarter, with its nearly 160 employees, has long positioned itself as being more mission driven than start-ups like Twitter and Facebook. In 2015, it became a “public benefit corporation,” rejecting a payday-generating corporate strategy in favor of one meant to maximize public good.

In its charter, Kickstarter seemed to encode progressive values into the company’s DNA, promising to engage with larger social issues, including workplace inequality.

The Kickstarter organizers, who are working with the Office and Professional Employees International Union, said they want to ensure the company maintains that commitment.

“A lot of Silicon Valley places will tell you, ‘Oh, we’re changing the world,’” said Taylor Moore, the other organizer fired in September. “At Kickstarter, you can see the people’s lives you’re changing, the people who are helping change the culture.”

The organizers have called for greater transparency in decision making, diversity and pay equity. They have also demanded stronger protections for employees who disagree with management or who file complaints.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/15/nyregion/kickstarter-union-employees-fired.html?emc=rss&partner=rss