Employees at Norfolk Botanical Garden have voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union. The decision followed a July 23 election, where workers chose union representation by a margin of 43-23. This move comes after several months of organizing led by IAM Southern Assistant Organizing Coordinator Bridget Fitzgerald.
The organizing effort began in early 2025, inspired by a successful union drive at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in November 2024. According to Fitzgerald, “The Lewis Ginter drive garnered a lot of attention. They had a social media presence that the Norfolk Botanical Garden workers followed and reached out to talk to those workers, had a couple different conversations about their issues and what made them decide to unionize. Norfolk workers decided that they wanted to travel that same path.”
The IAM Union has focused on expanding its presence in the non-profit sector, aiming to support employees who serve the public interest. Workers at Norfolk Botanical Garden cited collective bargaining as a way to address wages below local living standards, improve transparency in decision-making, and secure more input into workplace operations.
Fitzgerald explained the priorities voiced by employees: “Most of them, the first thing they mention is needing better pay, but then they say that what they really want is a voice. The lack of transparency, the inconsistency, and no reliable policy on inclement weather – for this type of work that’s unacceptable.”
Community support played a role in the campaign’s momentum. Nearly 450 people signed a petition backing the effort, with public endorsements from State Senator Angelia Williams Graves and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott.
Despite resistance from management—including hiring an anti-union consultant—workers remained committed to their campaign. Fitzgerald said, “Workers countered every lie and piece of misinformation. Nothing the employer did with anti‑union persuasion was going to change their mind.”
With union certification complete, preparations are underway for contract negotiations involving IAM Local 10 and District 2020 Directing Business Representative Charles Mann. These talks will focus on issues such as wages, policies for inclement weather, attendance practices, and opportunities for staff involvement in future planning.
IAM Organizing Assistant Director Juan Eldridge commented on broader efforts within nonprofit workplaces: “We are empowering workers in every industry. Nonprofit workers are workers nonetheless. They give everything to their job, they are professionals and experts in what they do, and they need to be valued for that expertise and dedication.”
Fitzgerald noted that while nonprofit organizations may face financial constraints compared to other sectors, employees seek fair treatment rather than unreasonable demands: “They love the work,” she said. “They want to make it a career, not just a job for a few years.”
