In just three months, more than 2,000 Movement Gyms members have pledged to freeze their memberships in solidarity with workers fighting for a fair union contract with the national climbing gym chain.
The milestone signals growing public support for Movement employees across the country who are organizing to address inadequate staffing, high turnover, and low pay.
Since 2021, more than 500 workers at 10 Movement facilities have unionized with Workers United, but no first contract agreements have been reached. Workers accuse management of carrying out a sweeping campaign of unlawful anti-union activity, including threatening and interrogating organizing workers, refusing to bargain over changes to working conditions, withholding information, and engaging in a nationwide pattern of bad-faith bargaining in ongoing contract negotiations. The company is currently facing unfair labor practice charges over more than 30 individual violations of the National Labor Relations Act.
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Movement has also devoted significant financial resources to fighting organizing efforts. The company has retained notorious management-side labor law firm Jackson Lewis, whose attorneys, according to some reports, charge more than $730 per hour. At least 12 different Jackson Lewis attorneys have performed work on Movement’s anti-union campaign. Additionally, public records show that Movement paid controversial “union avoidance” contractor LRI Consulting Services more than $100,000 to speak with employees in 2024.
“…I’m tired of my membership dues being spent on union-busting…”
“I signed the pledge to freeze my membership because I’m tired of my membership dues being spent on union-busting,” said Movement Harlem member Tippo Wang. “Movement should just negotiate in good faith with its employees instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting workers and their union.”
By signing the pledge, Movement members are committing to freeze their memberships if workers call on them to do so, and unfreeze them when the company begins negotiating in good faith. This week’s milestone signals that the number of members frustrated by Movement’s treatment of workers is growing quickly.
Workers say climbing has long been built around mutual trust, inclusivity, and collective responsibility, and the pledges reflect the shared belief of Movement members that these values should extend to everyone in the community. Workers also assert that a unionized workplace where staff are treated with respect will make the gyms a safer environment for everyone. Workplace concerns raised at Movement Gyms have included exposure to biohazards, improper HVAC systems, and even issues with clean water access.
“Climbers know what it means to trust the person beside you and look out for each other,” said Aristotle Rock, a climbing coach at Movement Callowhill in Philadelphia. “More than 2,000 members are standing with us because they want Movement to be a place that respects the people who make the climbing community possible.”
Members and supporters can join the 2,000+ people who have signed the pledge at the link here.
About Workers United
Workers United is a union representing tens of thousands of workers across the United States and Canada in industries including retail, manufacturing, and food service. An affiliate of SEIU, Workers United is committed to building worker power through organizing, collective bargaining, and advocacy for fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignity on the job.
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