URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity and Workers United for Reproductive and Gender Equity (WURGE) Ratify Historic First Collective Bargaining Agreement
For Immediate Release Contact: URGE: urge@fenton.com NPEU: hcushman@npeu.org Washington DC – Today, URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity and WURGE: Workers of URGE have finalized a first collective bargaining agreement. The staff union won voluntary recognition in December 2020 through the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union, IFPTE Local 70, and this first contract represents years of dedicated work and collective solidarity. The three-year agreement builds on the successes of an interim agreement reached in 2022 to increase staff wages. In a unanimous vote, union members ratified the new agreement, which secures improvements and equity in pay, better benefits, and job security. Highlights of the agreement’s victories include: Starting salary for entry-level staff set at $60,000 Improved health benefits with an annual $4,000 per employee Health Fund Benefit and health and… Read more »
STATEMENT FROM URGE ON SUPREME COURT’S RULING ON EMERGENCY ABORTION CARE
Leaked as a draft yesterday, and officially released today, the Supreme Court issued a ruling on the Moyle v. United States case, allowing emergency abortion care to continue through the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), despite Idaho’s extreme abortion ban. Emergency abortions can remain in Idaho for now, yet the door is still open for challenges down the line. In response, Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, said: “While the Court dismissed appeals by Idaho and Republican leaders in the state, the core issue about the intersection of state abortion bans and a federal law allowing patients to receive emergency care as needed remains unsolved. This not only creates deep confusion and uncertainty for both patients and providers across this country,… Read more »
Leading Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Organizations Launch ‘Abortion Access Now’ Campaign and $100 Million Investment
Washington, DC – Marking the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, leading reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations have launched the ‘Abortion Access Now‘ campaign, pledging a $100 million investment to advance abortion rights and access across the United States. The funding will help build a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change. This groundbreaking initiative aims to ensure that everyone has the right to access reproductive health care, free from stigma and barriers. The ‘Abortion Access Now’ campaign is a collaborative effort led by: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice… Read more »
STATEMENT FROM URGE ON SUPREME COURT’S RULING TO PRESERVE MIFEPRISTONE ACCESS
Today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Food and Drug Administration allowing the abortion pill, Mifepristone, to continue to be used for abortion and miscarriage care. Mifepristone is a safe and effective drug backed by over 20 years of scientific evidence and has been used by more than 5 million people. This decision prevents more harm from being done in the fight to expand access to medication abortion in the wake of growing abortion restrictions across the country. In response, Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, said: “Today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the FDA in the Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine case, protecting medication abortion for all. While we are relieved that Mifepristone will… Read more »
Statement From URGE on Supreme Court Hearing EMTALA Oral Arguments
Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the Moyle v. United States case. This case will decide if Idaho’s extreme abortion ban will supersede the 40-year-old Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Under EMTALA, hospitals are required to provide lifesaving treatment to patients who arrive at the hospital’s ER, but this case could mean a denial of a pregnant person’s medically necessary emergency care. In response, Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, said: “Lives are on the line at the Supreme Court again. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) has been working for 40 years, ensuring that pregnant people receive emergency pregnancy and abortion care when they need it. But now, anti-abortion extremists are trying to exclude pregnant people… Read more »
URGE Activists Attend Advocacy Day in Montgomery Alabama to Have their Voices Heard by Legislators
MONTGOMERY, AL – Today, URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, in partnership with Alabama Campaign for Adolescent Sexual Health (ACASH) and AIDS Alabama, convened for Sexual and Reproductive Health Advocacy Day at the State House in Montgomery. Advocacy Day was attended by over 100 activists having their voices heard by their state legislators. URGE, working hand-in-hand with young people, harnessed their recommendations in the national Young People’s Policy Agenda and laid out key policies for lawmakers to implement. The agenda envisions a future rooted in safer and healthier communities, fairer economic practices and opportunities for all of us to be active participants in our government. It highlights six main issue areas: Accessing Abortion Without Barriers; Supporting Trans, Intersex and Queer Young People; Realizing the Potential of Our Democracy; Access… Read more »
Statement from URGE on Mifepristone Supreme Court Oral Arguments
Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine case. This case will decide if the abortion pill, Mifepristone, will remain accessible to the public. This is the first time in two years an abortion case will be heard at the Supreme Court following the Dobbs decision. In response, Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, said: “It’s very clear that young people want more access to abortion care, not less, because abortion gives us control over our futures – where we can live with justice, love freely, express gender and sexuality, and define and create families of our choosing. Mifepristone is safe and effective and backed by over 20 years of scientific and medical… Read more »
Youth Poised as Leading Voting Force: New Poll Underscores Their Firm Commitment to Voting
Contrary to prevailing narratives, young people have not opted out of the electoral process nor lost their faith in the efficacy of voting. Instead, they assert their power in shaping the future of abortion access and influencing elected officials to do the same. (Washington, DC) – This week, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity launched its Young People’s Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda (YPPA), initially released in 2020, identifying six issue areas that young people want policymakers to focus on. The YPPA captures the top policy concerns of youth in the aftermath of the pandemic, ongoing racial justice movements and key judicial rulings, particularly the 2022 Dobbs decision. A new, concurrent poll affirms the YPPA’s policy issue areas and recommendations. URGE, a national Reproductive Justice organization centering young people of… Read more »
URGE Releases 2024 Young People’s Policy Agenda, Highlighting the Policy Priorities of Young Voters Heading into the Election
The Young People’s Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda outlines the most prevalent issues for young people going into the 2024 election, detailing their goals for achieving reproductive justice and full liberation. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity released the 2024 Young People’s Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda to establish a clear foundation for the policies that will advance young people’s liberation and support policymakers who want to engage with young people. The agenda, supported by a new nationally representative poll of young people ages 18-30, provides insights on domestic issues young people care about, the impact of the current policy landscape and how policymakers can boldly and collectively act to move the nation closer to Reproductive Justice. This agenda was shared with Senators and Members of… Read more »
Statement from URGE on CVS and Walgreens Beginning to Sell Mifepristone in Several States This Month
Today, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity released the following statement after CVS and Walgreens announced that they will begin to sell Mifepristone in states where it is legally allowed, starting as soon as next week. While Mifepristone remains in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court, this move will expand its availability and allow people to more easily and safely self-manage an abortion. Medication abortion is the most common method of abortion in the United States and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use up to 10 weeks into pregnancy. In response, Hope Jackson, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy at URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, said: “URGE applauds CVS and Walgreens for taking this necessary step at this critical moment for abortion access. “Mifepristone is a safe, effective, FDA-approved medication… Read more »
