Employees at Norfolk Botanical Garden have voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union. The election, held on July 23, resulted in a 43-23 vote in favor of union representation by IAM Local 10. This decision follows several months of organizing led by Bridget Fitzgerald, IAM Southern Assistant Organizing Coordinator.
The organizing effort was influenced by a similar campaign at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in November 2024. After observing the success of Lewis Ginter employees, workers at Norfolk Botanical Garden contacted Fitzgerald earlier this year and began collecting union election authorization cards in May.
“The Lewis Ginter drive garnered a lot of attention,” said Fitzgerald. “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.”
IAM Union has focused on organizing non-profit sector employees who serve the public interest, including those at botanical gardens.
Employees cited several reasons for seeking collective bargaining, including raising wages to meet local living standards, improving transparency in decision-making processes, and gaining a stronger voice in workplace operations.
“Most of them, the first thing they mention is needing better pay, but then they say that what they really want is a voice,” said Fitzgerald. “The lack of transparency, the inconsistency, and no reliable policy on inclement weather – for this type of work that’s unacceptable.”
The campaign received significant support from the community with nearly 450 signatures on a petition and endorsements from State Senator Angelia Williams Graves and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott.
Despite opposition from management—including hiring an anti-union consultant—workers maintained their position throughout the process.
“Workers countered every lie and piece of misinformation,” said Fitzgerald. “Nothing the employer did with anti‑union persuasion was going to change their mind.”
With certification complete, preparations are underway for contract negotiations with guidance from IAM Local 10 and District 2020 Directing Business Representative Charles Mann. Steps include distributing bargaining surveys, electing a negotiating committee, and drafting proposals before formal talks begin.
Norfolk IAM members plan to negotiate improvements such as higher wages, an inclement-weather policy guarantee, clear attendance rules, and more involvement in decisions affecting working conditions.
“We are empowering workers in every industry,” said IAM Organizing Assistant Director Juan Eldridge. “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.”
While nonprofit organizations often operate with limited budgets compared to private companies or government agencies (https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/running-nonprofit/operating-rules-and-best-practices/nonprofit-operating-reserves), union members emphasized their goal is not to harm the garden financially but rather seek fair treatment at work.
“They love the work,” said Fitzgerald. “They want to make it a career, not just a job for a few years.”
