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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Louisa @louisathelast.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

So my wonderful wife, @tekla.bsky.social, is one of the workers who was laid off Wednesday. The article is honestly too fair to A4TE leadership, who have handled this with a baffling level of hostility and callousness. And yes, they were notified with a one-sentence email starting “Dear Employee”

advocate.com

Workers fought to save jobs at a national trans rights group. Then came a one-sentence layoff email

Advocates for Trans Equality says a $2.4 million deficit forced painful cuts. Its union says management rejected alternatives that could have saved jobs.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Assigned Media @assignedmedia.org · 03/10/2026

@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Oct LGBTQnation Update on that A4TE story-- among the employees fired with a one-sentence email were nearly HALF of all its union members. A coincidence, surely. www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/10/lead...

lgbtqnation.com

Leading US trans rights org cuts nearly half its union membership - LGBTQ Nation

Staff at Advocates for Trans Equality say management led with "cruelty and threats."

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

The Advocate @advocate.com · 04/10/2026

Advocates for Trans Equality says a $2.4 million deficit forced painful cuts. Its union says management rejected alternatives that could have saved jobs.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This is a message from the departing union workers to the leadership at A4TE.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Yesterday was the final day of employment for eight laid-off union workers at Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE). This is how they were informed:

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Harper Jean Tobin @harperjean.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

@transequality.bsky.social it’s hard to imagine a plausible scenario where your union posts this & there’s a defensible explanation. In the crises facing our movements, the team of advocates you saw fit to hire aren’t the enemies. Burning goodwill won’t fix your budget woes. We’ve seen this movie.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Union workers at major trans non-profit A4TE fighting back against lay-offs that leave well-heeled managers untouched.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Our hearts are heavy that we are losing nearly half our Union today. Both our predecessor orgs have a history of union busting and today’s layoffs are a blatant attempt to weaken our power. But rest assured that those of us who remain are as fired up as ever to seek justice for our Union siblings.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

While our comrades await their termination notices today, our fight continues. We will be filing a grievance over mgmt's failure to make best efforts to avoid layoffs and consider our proposals. We are also prepared to file charges with the NLRB over A4TE's repeated unfair labor practices.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

At our last negotiation session yesterday, 9/24, mgmt continued to show up in bad faith. Mgmt once again rejected our cost saving proposals and refused to extend the deadline for negotiations. Instead, they made regressive counters and indicated they plan to move forward with the same layoff list.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Instead of leading with empathy for the people they are laying off, management chose to discredit the very real health consequences our members are facing and is chilling our ability to take sick time.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Management responded by threatening our jobs. They said they considered our use of sick time an illegal work stoppage and put “all employees on notice that they may be subject to A4’s disciplinary process, up to and potentially including discharge” for participating.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The impending layoffs and A4TE’s callous approach to the process has taken an immense toll on our mental and physical health, so we let management know that members would be using their bargained-for sick and healing time on 9/23 and 9/24 as the layoff deadline approached.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

⚠️ A4TE @transequality.bsky.social is laying off our comrades TODAY ⚠️ In the final days of our layoff negotiation period, management has led with cruelty and threats.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Pria / These Liminal Days 🏳️‍⚧️ @theseliminaldays.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

So why are you laying off unionized, front-line folk when they are the people we need most now? You cannot be progressive and anti-union.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Harper Jean Tobin @harperjean.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I really don’t want to see this go the same way again. We need so badly to be putting our energies into working together for our collective liberation. And FWIW, having been there, anyone on any side of this can reach out to me if you want to chat about it.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Harper Jean Tobin @harperjean.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

As before, A4TE’s leaders started down this road with a real commitment to fighting for our communities - but without, I fear, learning enough from past mistakes. Most of us in these movements have had to eat crow about some things in the past dozen years. I’m afraid there’s a lot more to go round.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Harper Jean Tobin @harperjean.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Trans NGOs in the US are in crisis with funders and key institutional allies turning their backs when our communities desperately need solidarity. That is a call to courage and vision rooted in shared values, not an excuse for repeating old mistakes of management-think.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Harper Jean Tobin @harperjean.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Having led the policy shop at NCTE for 11 years and left after its crackup in 2019, it’s heartbreaking to see its successor @transequality.bsky.social making such similar mistakes. A4TE is not meeting the challenge of this moment; it can and should do better.

docs.google.com

Support U4TL and Job Security at A4TE

The Issue On Monday, July 20th, 2026, Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) sent an email to the Union for Trans Liberation (U4TL)—A4TE’s staff union—giving notice of the organization’s “economic retren...

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

This is your last week to make your voice heard before a dozen trans people get official notice that they will be laid off. Please email a4te@transequality.org and comment on A4TE’s social media. Urge them to implement the Union’s cost-saving proposals instead of laying off nearly half of our union.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

After a month and a half of negotiations, multiple cost-saving proposals from the Union, SIX voluntary separations (3 union, 2 director, and 1 confidential employee), and two involuntary director layoffs, management’s potential layoff list of 12 bargaining unit members remains unchanged.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

UPDATE: Layoff negotiations end in just one week, and one thing is clear: A4TE management is intent on laying off a specific group of Union members.

UNION FOR
TANS LIBERATE
LAYOFF NEGOTIATIONS END IN JUST ONE WEEK, and one thing is clear:
A4TE management is intent on laying off a specific group of Union members.
After a month and a half of negotiations, multiple cost-saving proposals from the Union,
SIX voluntary separations
(3 union, 2 director, and 1 confidential employee), and two involuntary director layoffs, management's potential layoff list of 12 bargaining unit members remains unchanged.
Read More →

On 9/16, management once again rejected the Union's proposal for tiered salary cuts for staff making over $130k.
Instead, they proposed the CEO take an 8% pay cut—but only if the Union agreed to a salary freeze for all staff.
The worst part?
They said this salary freeze wouldn't save any union jobs.
Read More →

During our all-staff meeting yesterday, 9/17, management told staff for the first time in that they were working on a proposal that included salary cuts for management making over $155k.
This shocked us.
Communicating this counter in an all-staff meeting before bargaining is blatant direct dealing and an unfair labor practice.
We hope management follows through on their promise of salary cuts for the highest-paid managers in our organization, but these proposals must be communicated during bargaining. Most importantly: they must save Union jobs!
Read More →

STAKE ACTION
This is your last week to make your voice heard before a dozen trans people get official notice that they will be laid off.
PLEASE EMAIL: a4te@transequality.org and comment on A4TE's social media.
Urge them to implement the Union's cost-saving proposals instead of laying off nearly half of our union.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Corinne Green @ket.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

if you support us, show it to my friends at advocates for trans equality. most of them are being laid off so management can renovate kitchens or whatever it is they do with it all. follow @ulw4tl.bsky.social and sign their petition. free palestine. fuck borders. break cages. solidarity forever.

docs.google.com

Support U4TL and Job Security at A4TE

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

tekla 💜✨ @tekla.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

If you know of any work for a deeply experienced, knowledgeable, quick-thinking comms professional who does everything from earned media to video production to community outreach and storytelling, do let me know!

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

tekla 💜✨ @tekla.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

As someone who has spent my professional career advocating and organizing and educating for gender equality and trans liberation, I thought I had found the org where I could grow and go on to do big things. Sadly, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

tekla 💜✨ @tekla.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

it’s been a really heartbreaking and disappointing time. You can learn more at our Union socials - @ulw4tl.bsky.social has more details on negotiations and where things stand right now.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

tekla 💜✨ @tekla.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Me and many of my brilliant, hardworking colleagues are facing layoffs at the end of this month. if you want to support our union and its members in this tough time, you can do so here: www.gofundme.com/f/support-ad...

gofundme.com

Donate to Support Advocates for Trans Equality workers facing layoff, organized by Gabriel Arkles

Advocates for Trans Equality is on the brink of layoffs. Thos… Gabriel Arkles needs your support for Support Advocates for Trans Equality workers facing layoff

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

BREAKING: A4TE management proposes laying off 44% of the bargaining unit while refusing to take pay cuts In yesterday's negotiation session, A4TE management sent a preliminary list identifying 12 out of 27 bargaining unit positions for potential layoffs.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

We’d love for you to show your solidarity with @ulw4tl.bsky.social and support our fight for layoff protections by sharing the attached graphics! DM us your email address if you’d like to receive our Partner Toolkit, which includes all the ways you can support our campaign.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

The Advocate @advocate.com · 28/07/2026

Workers accuse Advocates for Trans Equality leaders of mismanagement after the organization warned that staff positions could be eliminated.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Good morning! We are over 100 signatures now— let’s make it 200 😎 If you have signed this petition, send it to five people that are: ✅Pro-Worker ✅Pro-Trans ✅Pro- Liberation 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 forms.gle/2jVpUTaFu7ZV...

forms.gle

Support U4TL and Job Security at A4TE

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Our Instagram also needs a lot of love, and needs more supporters! If you are on there, please follow for support and share our content! www.instagram.com/ulw4tl?igsh=...

instagram.com

Instagram

Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Our Instagram also needs a lot of love, and needs more supporters! If you are on there, please follow for support and share our content! www.instagram.com/ulw4tl?igsh=...

instagram.com

Instagram

Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Shayna Medley @shaynam.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Support trans Union members as we face potential layoffs:

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

techgirlwonder.cryptoanarchy.network @techgirlwonder.cryptoanarchy.network · 25/07/2026

Oy the house that Kiesling built just never stops being shady. All power to the workers.

shady.to

Shady Labs | Privacy for Open Ledger

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Allison Raine Chapman @alli.gay · 25/07/2026

Transgender workers deserve job security, especially those who have dedicated their lives towards making meaningful change for all of us. Sign their petition and demand that @transequality.bsky.social is transparent with their workers: forms.gle/2jVpUTaFu7ZV...

forms.gle

Support U4TL and Job Security at A4TE

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Corinne Green @ket.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

please sign and spread this. a4te's unionized staff want to unfuck our professional movement. movement management want to keep our professional movement fucked. we have to unfuck our professional movement.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Our statement. Please sign the petition and spread word: forms.gle/2jVpUTaFu7ZV...

SIGN OUR PETITION
Our statement and link are in our bio

STATEMENT FROM U4TL ON A4TE'S
"ECONOMIC RETRENCHMENT"
ON THURSDAY, JULY 23RD, THE UNION FOR TRANS LIBERATION (U4TL) MET WITH ADVOCATES FOR TRANS EQUALITY'S (A4TE) EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM (ELT) FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE A4TE ANNOUNCED
"ECONOMIC RETRENCHMENT" AND
"POTENTIALLY ELIMINAT[ING] SOME POSITIONS" TO THE PUBLIC-AND ELT SHOWED UP UNPREPARED.
OUR UNION MEMBERS ORGANIZED, RATIFIED OUR CONTRACT, AND CAME TO THE TABLE YESTERDAY READY TO WORK. WE WERE SURPRISED WHEN MANAGEMENT WAS UNABLE TO ANSWER BASIC, SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF OUR ORGANIZATION. IDEALLY, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO ANSWER THEM BEFORE ANNOUNCING POTENTIAL LAYOFFS TO THE ORGANIZATION AND THE PUBLIC. STAFF AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT.

A4TE'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF POTENTIAL LAYOFFS HAS CREATED HURT, FEAR, AND UNCERTAINTY AMONG OUR MEMBERS. WE RELY ON A4TE FOR OUR LIVELIHOODS, OUR HEALTHCARE, AND SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES. WE HAVE DEDICATED OUR SKILLS, OUR PASSION, AND COUNTLESS HOURS TO THIS ORGANIZATION IN SERVICE OF THE TRANS COMMUNITY—AND THE MAJORITY OF US ARE TRANS OURSELVES.
THE THREAT OF LAYOFFS IS DAUNTING, BUT WE ARE ORGANIZED AND READY TO PROTECT OUR WORKERS.
U4TL RECENTLY RATIFIED OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (CBA), WHICH SPELLS OUT EXACTLY WHAT MANAGEMENT MUST DO BEFORE ANY LAYOFFS MOVE FORWARD: SHARE INFORMATION, BARGAIN OVER
ALTERNATIVES, AND WORK TOGETHER TO FIND A WAY FORWARD THAT PROTECTS PEOPLE'S JOBS.

WE ARE NOW BEGINNING THAT PROCESS — WHICH STARTS WITH REQUESTING A LOT OF INFORMATION FROM MANAGEMENT —AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO SHARE VERIFIED UPDATES AS WE MOVE FORWARD. IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT U4TL MEMBERS, YOU CAN SIGN OUR OPEN LETTER PLEDGING TO SUPPORT U4TL IN ITS DEMAND THAT A4TE MEANINGFULLY CONSIDER THE UNION'S PROPOSALS AND REACH AN AGREEMENT THAT PRESERVES UNION JOBS, TAGGING A4TE IN OUR UNION POSTS, AND EMAILING A4TE@TRANSEQUALITY.ORG TO VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO ANY LAYOFFS.
Our statement and link are in our bio

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

Katelyn Burns @katelynburns.com · 24/07/2026

Oh I see A4TE is doing union busting again

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

siobhan mcdonough @siobhan-m.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

these are the union’s requests for community solidarity. @transequality.bsky.social there’s still time to change your mind if you don’t want to destroy relationships with the communities you’re supposed to serve

A4TE is telling the public its
"focus is on supporting staff."
Management's radio silence in staff communicatons tells a different story.
For actionable ways to support our Union:
• Like and share this post!
• Let A4TE know how you feel about the layoffs on their social media
• Keep an eye out for a hardship fund for impacted Union members in the coming weeks

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Reposted by Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation

siobhan mcdonough @siobhan-m.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

unionized legal workers at Advocates for Trans Equality are now facing layoffs after the org went on a c-suite hiring spree. in this political moment, laying off frontline staff who meet trans legal needs is unconscionable

BREAKING
A4TE management lust publicly announced layoffs in violation of our new CBA

Less than a month after ratifying our new CBA, management has already violated it. Our contract requires management to
"work closely with the Union to ensure job security of every employee then on staff, develop a plan to avoid layoffs, and discuss
alternatives to layoffs." It also requires A4TE to provide financial documentation for why economic retrenchment is necessary.
A4TE has done none of this before going public with its layoff announcement.

Yesterday, July 20, A4TE management emailed the Union after 5pm informing us of the organization's
"economic retrenchment" and their intent to lay off staff. Less than 24 hours later, A4TE sent a mass email to their supporters announcing impending layoffs - with no internal communication to all staff - before the Union has had an opportunity to bargain over the outcome.

Since the 2024 merger of
TLDEF and NCTE, A4TE has embarked on a hiring spree for C-suite and director level positions, while gutting critical direct service programs like the Name Change Project. These cuts to our essential programs and frontline staff are neither
"necessary" nor "practical," as A4TE suggests. They are the result of reckless mismanagement and a callous disregard for staff's jobs and livelihoods.

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Union of Legal Workers for Trans Liberation @ulw4tl.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

⚠️BREAKING⚠️ A4TE management just publicly announced layoffs in violation of our new CBA.

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