Guttmacher Institute, the world’s leading reproductive rights think tank, was a tense place to work. Hybrid work schedules. Microsoft Teams status checks.
As the Supreme Court got closer to plunging America into an abortion access crisis, making Guttmacher’s work all the more vital, that tension peaked: In May, the staff went public with their plans to unionize. In July, the union, which represents more than 60 employees, won its right to bargain a contract with the institute in a near-unanimous election. Members didn’t expect the following contract negotiations to be easy or even quick, but they did expect them to be civil, with likeminded people on both sides, due to the generally progressive political bent of the institute.
Instead, Guttmacher Employees United (GEU) members found themselves fighting against a union-busting law firm that donates to politicians advocating for forced-birth policies.
After the union went public in May, Guttmacher retained the notorious pro-management law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. to represent it as it squared off against its employees. Between its own political action committee and individual employee donations, Jackson Lewis has sent over $336,000 to anti-abortion politicians over the last decade, according to federal donation records reviewed by Jezebel. This means that as the Guttmacher Institute spends the millions it has raised for its pro-reproductive healthcare mission, it is also spending significant funds to retain the services of...
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