Kickstarter United NYC-OPEIU 153, Elected Officials & Labor Leaders Hold Strike Rally

In a show of solidarity, nearly 50 union workers, including Kickstarter United (KSRU), rallied and picketed Tuesday with Elected Officials and leaders from OPEIU Local 153, New York Times Tech Guild and the NYC CLC outside of Kickstarter Board Member and Investor Fred Wilson's venture capitalist firm, Union Square Ventures. The picket came just days after KRSU’s strike began on Thursday, October 2nd after management failed to offer a fair contract. Kickstarter workers are represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153. The key issues that remain unresolved: protecting Kickstarter’s existing four-day, 32-hour workweek and establishing a minimum salary that provides a livable wage.

The current 3-year agreement covering 59 community support specialists, trust and safety analysts, marketing professionals, software engineers, and other tech workers expired in July 2025. The KSRU bargaining committee has bargained with Kickstarter management since April 2025 to reach a tentative agreement. Negotiations at the table have slowed on compensation and working hours articles. Management has rejected every proposal for a minimum salary and insists on retaining the right to return to a five-day, 40-hour workweek. The current four-day workweek allows flexibility for members and it’s the reason many agreed to join Kickstarter in the first place. The call for a minimum salary of $85,000 corresponds with what is considered Low Income in New York City ($87,100 for 2024). Click here to watch the full press conference and learn more at Kickstarterunited.org.