SAN ANTONIO — Jackie Reyna says it’s an honor to help out underrepresented youth in Texas. 

“Real curriculum that puts them in ready to be places where young people aren’t usually. We teach a lot about anti-racism, how to work through politics, how to learn politics,” Reyna said. 

She does this through the nonprofit MOVE Texas, which stands for mobilize, organize, vote and empower. 

“Since MOVE does focus on voter registration and getting out the vote, not only is it informing them on what voting is, and how to do it, but why it’s important,” Reyna says. 

She said the work is impactful, but it can also take a toll on the employees. A national study showed that 30% of nonprofit workers were burned out and an additional 20% were on pace to feel the same way. 

“The nonprofit and really all sectors, are abusive and exploitative of their employees, so I think having the CBA highlights all of the little minor things that affect people,” Reyna said. 

CBA stands for collective bargaining agreement, and is an agreement between the employer and the labor union that will govern employment for the employee-members of that labor union. MOVE Texas recently ratified its first CBA. The nonprofit unionized as Move Texas United and was represented by OPEIU Local 277. 

“What the CBA does is, it ensures is, one, fair pay — anything you can possibly think of is covered. We need to be taken care of to take care of our community,” Reyna said. 

Johnathan Gutierrez is a South Central field manager at MOVE and he isn’t affected by the CBA, but he did help it get ratified. 

“It’s going to allow our team members to be valued at the workplace. I think those are some of the moments that are like, ‘Oh my gosh this is huge, not just for our work, but for the nonprofit, nonprofit industry,’” Gutierrez said. 

Reyna believes that the CBA is going to be a part of a statewide union movement. 

“With this pandemic and how things have been these past three-plus years, people are learning what their value is and are learning how to use their voice and advocate for themselves,” Reyna said.