Georgia Voting Rights Group Staffers Claim Retaliatory Layoffs After Unionizing Attempt

ATLANTA, Ga. — A group of staffers from the New Georgia Project protested outside their offices on Tuesday, alleging unfair terminations that they argue could undermine their organizing efforts for the upcoming 2026 statewide elections. On January 28, the nonprofit organization, founded by Democratic figure Stacey Abrams, laid off 14 employees amid claims of economic difficulties.

According to those affected, their dismissals came just four days after they filed a petition to unionize, leading them to believe the layoffs were retaliatory. The organization has undergone multiple staff reductions since the 2024 general election.

Management cited challenging economic conditions during a company call reviewed by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, staff member Jon’Luk Young expressed concern over the impact of their terminations. “We were focused on the 2026 governor’s election. Now, we’re laid off. There’s people out there counting on us,” he said.

Organizers from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing the laid-off workers, have filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. Chuck Stiles, an organizer with the Teamsters, mentioned that the complaint alleges the layoffs violated employees’ rights to organize. “We can’t sit back while people who want to organize are intimidated,” he stated.

Economic hardships have plagued the New Georgia Project, an organization primarily focused on increasing voter participation among communities of color. In the past year, they reportedly knocked on about 500,000 doors through September, a sharp decline from 3 million in 2022. Additionally, the organization faced legal challenges, settling a lawsuit last month regarding improperly disclosed campaign contributions used in Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign.

Workers also noted a concerning leadership trend, with four executives resigning or being dismissed within a six-month timeframe due to internal conflicts. Francys Johnson, chair of the organization’s board, was blamed for the issues. Brandon Byrd, still employed by the New Georgia Project, criticized Johnson’s leadership, saying, “You can’t keep going places and mismanaging funds… it’s very disheartening.”

Georgia workers face various challenges when attempting to unionize under state laws that do not require them to join or pay dues to a union, despite benefiting from union-negotiated contracts. Statistics indicate that only 5.4% of Georgia workers were union members in 2023. “This fight is bigger,” Young remarked, highlighting the group’s ongoing commitment to supporting liberal causes despite the setbacks.

Representatives from the New Georgia Project did not respond to inquiries for comment prior to the publication of this article. The protest continues to draw attention to issues surrounding workers’ rights and the organizational integrity amidst the ongoing challenges in Georgia’s political landscape.