Climate Reality Bargaining Report - Layoffs 10/03/2025

CWA Local 2336's Bargaining Committee issued the following report from negotiations on Friday, October 3, 2025:]

The Union and the Employer met today with the sole focus of negotiating about Climate Reality’s layoff announcement. 

The Union began the negotiations expressing concerns to Climate Reality over what we felt was a lack of transparency about the financial state of the organization.  The Union has been actively negotiating with Climate Reality, at least twice a month, and we were not apprised of the situation until 2 days before the announcement was made.  Climate Reality shared they were under a confidentiality agreement with a donor while trying to negotiate a partial pledge. The Union also asked about what other areas were examined for cost savings. Climate Reality expressed that the layoffs were an action of last resort. 

In addition, the Union presented a proposal wherein one impacted bargaining unit member would be qualified to fill a vacant funded role. 

We reviewed our Layoff & Recall tentative agreement that was reached last year.   While the Union negotiated strong recall language, severance and benefits, we wanted to discuss expanding those benefits given the timing of the announcement and the state of affairs in the job market right now. 

The Union presented our proposal for these layoffs. Climate Reality was open to some of our points and needs time to consult with other leadership before finalizing an agreement.  Climate Reality committed to getting back to us by the end of the day Tuesday, October 7th. 

We will keep all of you posted. 

Your CWA Bargaining Team,

Ella Carlson (out of country); Alejandro Sobrera Barboza (out of country); Melissa Smith-Kupihea (Local 2336); Lisa Fazzini and Ethan Spaner.