Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Voice in the Workplace: Advocating for Professional and Technical Workers
Founded in 1918, we are a member-driven labor union dedicated to empowering professional and technical workers across the United States and Canada. With over 90,000 members, our organization combines the collective bargaining strength of a union with the specialized focus of a professional association. Our mission centers on improving workplace conditions, advocating for fair policies, and amplifying the voices of highly skilled professionals in federal, public, and private sectors. Through democratic processes and consensus-driven decision-making, we provide a platform for engineers, scientists, attorneys, researchers, and other professionals to collaborate on legislative priorities and industry standards.Our structure ensures local affiliates maintain autonomy while benefiting from international support in negotiations, training, and advocacy efforts. We prioritize nonpartisan engagement on issues impacting members' careers and communities, including labor rights, infrastructure investment, and immigration policies. With a proven track record of successful advocacy during annual Legislative Weeks in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, we continue expanding our influence to protect collective bargaining rights and professional integrity.
Services
Collective Bargaining
Legislative Advocacy
Workplace Representation
Policy Development
Union Training Programs
Labor Rights Education
Professional Networking
Contract Negotiations
Advocacy Campaigns
Member Support Services
Details
- Year established: 1918
Highlights and features
- We represent over 90,000 professionals across diverse technical and professional fields.
- Our members benefit from collective bargaining combined with professional association expertise.
- We maintain a nonpartisan focus on issues directly impacting professional workers.
- Local affiliates receive international support for negotiations and legislative advocacy.
- Our 100+ year history demonstrates proven success in workplace representation.
What people say
Effective representation
Strong advocacy
Member-focused approach
Legislative success
Professional expertise
Services
Collective Bargaining
We empower professionals through collective bargaining agreements that establish fair wages, benefits, and workplace standards. Our experienced negotiators work with local affiliates to develop tailored strategies that address specific industry challenges while maintaining compliance with labor laws. This service ensures members have a structured process for resolving disputes and advancing their professional interests.
Legislative Advocacy
Our advocacy efforts focus on shaping public policy that impacts professional workers. Through annual Legislative Weeks in Washington, DC and Ottawa, we coordinate member-driven campaigns to influence decision-makers on labor rights, infrastructure investment, and immigration policies. This service provides professionals with a unified voice in legislative processes affecting their careers.
Workplace Representation
We provide comprehensive workplace representation that protects professional rights and promotes career development. Our local affiliates receive support for addressing workplace grievances, enforcing contract provisions, and maintaining professional standards. This service ensures members have access to experienced representatives who understand both technical work environments and labor law requirements.
Union Training Programs
Our training programs develop union leaders through specialized instruction in negotiation tactics, labor law compliance, and advocacy strategies. These programs combine theoretical knowledge with practical exercises to prepare members for effective union leadership roles. Participants gain skills to strengthen local affiliate operations and member engagement efforts.
Contract Negotiations
We specialize in negotiating comprehensive employment contracts that balance organizational needs with professional expectations. Our negotiators work closely with local affiliates to develop proposals addressing compensation, work conditions, and career advancement opportunities. This service ensures contracts reflect industry standards while protecting members' professional interests.
People
Matt Biggs
International President
As International President, Matt Biggs leads strategic initiatives for professional worker representation. With extensive experience in labor relations, he focuses on expanding union membership and strengthening collective bargaining efforts across technical industries.
Gay Henson
Secretary-Treasurer
Gay Henson manages financial operations and legislative advocacy efforts. Her expertise in public policy and budget management ensures effective resource allocation for member services and advocacy campaigns across North America.
Patricia Constantino
Comptroller
Patricia Constantino oversees financial compliance and accounting operations. Her background in union finance ensures transparent management of organizational resources while supporting local affiliate financial needs.
Teresa Ellis
General Counsel
Teresa Ellis provides legal expertise for contract negotiations and labor law compliance. With deep knowledge of employment law, she protects members' rights through strategic legal counsel and policy development.
Faraz Khan
Legislative Director
Faraz Khan coordinates legislative advocacy efforts, focusing on labor rights and professional standards. His policy expertise helps shape national legislation affecting technical and professional workers across North America.
Questions
What types of professionals does IFPTE represent?
We represent over 90,000 engineers, scientists, attorneys, researchers, technicians, and other technical professionals in both public and private sectors across the U.S. and Canada.
How does IFPTE support local unions?
We provide local affiliates with negotiation support, legal counsel, training programs, and advocacy resources while maintaining their operational autonomy in representing members.
What legislative issues does IFPTE prioritize?
Our advocacy focuses on labor rights protection, infrastructure investment, immigration policies affecting professionals, and maintaining collective bargaining rights for technical workers.
How can professionals join IFPTE?
Workers can organize their workplace through our local affiliates, which provide guidance on union formation, collective bargaining, and member representation processes.
What makes IFPTE different from other unions?
We uniquely combine traditional union strength with professional association specialization, focusing specifically on the needs of technical and professional workers.
How does IFPTE handle workplace disputes?
We provide structured grievance procedures, legal support, and negotiation expertise to resolve workplace issues while protecting professional standards and contractual rights.
