Citation

North D. Hum. Serv. Organ. Manag. Leadersh. Gov. 2018; 42(3): 345-351.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/23303131.2018.1471648

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This case describes the unionization of residential counselors at a large nonprofit provider of foster care and mental health services in San Francisco, CA. Based on interviews with managers including the executive director, this account first traces the conditions that led to unionization, including external and internal factors. External drivers related to funding constraints in the wake of the Great Recession, a dramatic increase in the local cost of living for workers, an influx of youth with especially high needs and sometimes violent tendencies, and a strong union presence and thriving social movement landscape in the area. Internal issues included problematic Human Resources practices, unsuccessful financial strategies, the institution of new computerbased accountability requirements for staff, and insufficient training for staff in addressing increased client needs. Overall, a breakdown in trust and communication between management and staff led workers to feel the organization had become "too corporate". The analysis then traces the contentious process of unionization that unfolded and the highly oppositional response by management.

RESULTS included the successful unionization of workers, a change in top management, and ultimately a new alliance between the union and the service provider that aimed to improve conditions. To conclude, managers provide reflections on the lessons learned, and the authors pose practice-oriented questions for nonprofit managers and scholars to consider as they strive to prevent negative conditions in organizations as well as to work effectively with unions for mutual benefit.

Language: en

Keywords

Nonprofit management; nonprofit unionization; nonprofit working conditions