On May 20th, in a powerful display of solidarity and determination, frontline workers at Rose Brooks Center gathered alongside Kansas City workers and community leaders to share their deep love for the work they do and their resolve for unionizing. The press conference and rally was organized by Missouri Jobs with Justice, Stand Up KC, and Missouri Workers Center to support these workers who are organizing with Laborers International Local 955. Members of Heartland Women in Trades, IUPAT District Council 3, the IBEW Local 124 Women’s Committee, and more joined the event to support the unionizing workers. Many unions have volunteered at the center over the years.
Days later, the workers won their election to join LIUNA Local 955 twenty-seven to eighteen, becoming the first ever domestic violence center in Missouri to unionize and hopefully one of many to come. Local 955 was heavily critiqued by Rose Brooks management for being a construction workers union, despite representing many workers in other industries.
“We’re the first to try new, exciting things,” said Maret Miller, a worker at Rose Brooks. “I think with the unionization effort, we can be one of those agencies to set a precedent for other nonprofit workers across the country. And I think we’ll be an important piece of history for the movement.”
“Working at Rose Brooks Center is more than just a job—it’s a calling, a labor of love,” expressed Brianna Green, a Housing and Economic Case Manager with Rose Brooks. “Every day, we pour our hearts into supporting survivors and ensuring their safety and well-being. Our decision to unionize is not a rejection of our mission; rather, it’s a reaffirmation of our values and our commitment to creating a workplace that reflects these values.”
The workers at Rose Brooks self-organized and set up The Rose Vine, a website detailing workers’ love for Rose Brooks and their vision for collectively strengthening the organization. Rose Brooks Center frontline workers faced extensive union-busting in their journey to unionize with their co-workers from leadership at the organization, including a personalized union-busting letter from CEO Lisa Fleming. Community leaders came out and showed their support as the workers shared their stories and why they chose to fight for a union.
“I love working at Rose Brooks Center because of the work that we do and because I am a survivor myself,” said Katy Bielski, a Housing and Economic Advocacy Case Manager at Rose Brooks. “We are coming together to form our union because we love our work and want our workplace to be the best it can be for survivors and staff alike.”
“I’ve been at Rose Brooks for four years, and needless to say, but not easy to say, everyone I’ve joined with is gone, I’m the only one from my era,” said Ammi Vazquez, Family and Children Support Specialist, said through tears.
In a video with her fellow co-workers, Katy Bielski echoed those concerns, “We are organizing because we are disheartened by the high turnover.”
With each departure, caseloads surge, leading to a cycle of constant reassignments for survivors, resulting in delays in vital meetings and access to services. This not only adds to their emotional burden but also forces them to repeatedly recount their often traumatic experiences.
“I want Rose Brooks to be a sustainable place to work,” said Madeleine Hatler, a non-residential victim advocate, “I want to be working here in 20 years. I want Rose Brooks to be a place where we live our values throughout and break the cycles of oppression for everyone who walks through our doors – survivors and staff alike.” Hatler continued, “I’m currently 10 weeks pregnant, I hope that I am either the last Rose Brooks Center worker to become a parent without maternity leave, or one of the first to have the stability and respect of maternity leave.”
“Some of us work two jobs in order to make a livable wage,” said Kris Moore, a Housing Navigator. “I love my job, I give my all every single day, and I am voting yes because we are stronger together.”
Community leaders echoed their unwavering support for the workers’ unionization efforts at the rally, emphasizing the transformative power of collective action and solidarity. “The workers of Rose Brooks Center exemplify the true spirit of dedication and compassion,” stated Judy Morgan, a former State Representative & former AFT 691 president. “Their decision to unionize is not a divisive act but a loving gesture—a testament to their commitment to creating a workplace that reflects their values and priorities.”
As the evening came to an end, the atmosphere buzzed with emotion and unity, resonating with applause of support from the gathered crowd. With the pivotal unionization vote just days away, the workers of Rose Brooks Center stand firm in their dedication to cultivating a workplace where safety, support, and empowerment are extended to everyone at Rose Brooks.
The day before the election, Kansas City, MO City Councilman Wes Rogers wrote a letter, that almost the entire city council signed, encouraging the workers to vote yes. Many members on the Kansas City, MO City Council encouraged Rose Brooks to recognize the union and stop union busting.
The only members of Kansas City, MO’s City Council to not sign were Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, Councilwoman Lindsay French, and Mayor Quinton Lucas.
Councilwoman Robinson told The Labor Beacon that she supports the right of workers to organize, but had not done the research on this. (paraphased)
Councilwoman French informed The Labor Beacon that she absolutely supports this union and the workers unionizing and simply did not have the opportunity to sign it before it was sent.
Mayor Lucas did not provide context, but was present at a LIUNA rally for President Biden the same day.
Jackson County Legislators Jalen Anderson and Manny Abarca IV both played a large role in supporting the unionization efforts of these workers.
“The workers of Rose Brooks Center exemplify the true spirit of dedication and compassion,” stated Judy Morgan, a former State Representative & former AFT 691 president. “Their decision to unionize is not a divisive act but a loving gesture—a testament to their commitment to creating a workplace that reflects their values and priorities.”
Congratulations Rose Brooks workers!
Tristin Amezcua-Hogan is the Editor of The Labor Beacon and a member of LIUNA Local 264. Tristin also serves as the Director of Communications for the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO and the Chair of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance.
Tristin grew up as the son of a UA Local 669 member in Tecumseh, KS and the great-nephew of George C. Amis, longtime leader of the United Rubberworkers (now USW Local 307) in Kansas. Growing up in rural Kansas as the child of teen parents, Tristin quickly came to appreciate the life-changing benefit of a union job.
Tristin and his partner, Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, are residents of the Westside, Kansas City, MO's historic Mexican neighborhood. They are proud members of Kansas City's New Reform Temple.
