Staff members at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), voted earlier this week to join the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2. “Throughout this entire process, the dedicated NDI staff showed great professionalism and respect for the Institute,” said Local 2's Jessica Maiorca, who helped guide the organizing process. “With their newly solidified rights on the job, these new union members will help NDI remain true to its democratic values at home as well as abroad.” Negotiations on a first contract are expected to begin soon. NDI is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works with partners in developing countries to increase the effectiveness of democratic institutions. Local 2 represents approximately 7,000 workers throughout the metro DC area, including at the Solidarity Center, which is, like NDI, a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy.