Huge ups to the workers at American Farmland Trust who just voted to organize with SEIU Local 500 https://www.instagram.com/p/De-K3ZSpshO/

But I'm afraid to give info because they have AI looking for us online.

I've tried raising awareness anonymously but basically every system is built to avoid that. Almost like the ruling class benefits by creating as many barriers to open communication as possible.

It's basically impossible to get any kind of traction with anonymous burners.

Is there any kind of "complaint exchange" were people unaffiliated with said corp can air laundry without fear of reprisal?

Work in a public school where our support staff (custodians, food service, paraprofessionals) are all in the same union. I’m currently in a leadership position but admittedly not the most up to date on procedure. I rely heavily on my representative.

Anyway, got a message from on high in a random weekly newsletter that they’re “clarifying” (see: restricting) the definition of the PTO/sick leave to only the latter to be used for the employee, and UNABLE to be used to for caring for a sick child or spouse. This is a massive change of pace considering our “sick time bank” is 4x the size of our PTO, and one of the few reasons to even have this job is the forgiving attitude towards sick kids.

That’s totally suspect right? I’ve already contacted my rep, but this seems an egregious overstep for a random Monday morning. I can push back on this right?

So in my union they represent a large county organization and different departments. Unfortunately one department is pretty represented on the bargaining committee while our department delegates didn't get elected. Last contract this department got a lot of stuff while we just got 3 years of cola and medical increases. So we're planning on voting against the contract if our department doesn't get the same things as the other department

Well, I can certainly get behind that effort..lol. Good on them! That was not in my bingo card. Wonder how Jerry Jones feels

I've been a Teamster for 14 years. I'm not normally a rabble rouser, but I'm familiar with my contact and I keep in touch with my Steward and the officials in my local.

I changed jobs a couple months ago. Same field, different company, different local, still Teamsters.

In the hiring process I was told the benefits and pay were the same as the national contract I already knew.

In orientation I'm told the the insurance starts after 90 days. That's... not the national contract. So I start with questions. Is this a local rider? If so, can I see the language? What did the company offer in negotiation to get us to give up 2 months of insurance?

The answers were bad. Yes, a local rider, no, they can't show it to me. Nobody has a copy, and it's not available on the website. The answer I got to what was offered to give up insurance after 30 days? My Stewed said "Well it just made sense."

I start moving the question up the chain to the local. Nobody can answer why (or when) the 30 day wait was changed to 90, but they're not OK with it either. Now they want answers too.

Skip 6 weeks of calls and questions and arguments.

Yesterday the Business Manager of my local told me he's tired of asking and waiting for answers from the company. So he reminds them (at 2PM) that dodging health welfare pension (HWP) payments is a strikeble offense.

Shocking absolutely nobody, that gets things moving.

This morning, 9AM, I'm handed a Memo of Understanding signed by the president of the company stating that HWP will be paid immediately and retroactive to my 30 days date. Me and 3 people who started after me.

Great! Success! I'll have my insurance now!

Except, as I said, I'm familiar with my contract.

I speak to someone in management (former Union, 35 years, moved to the other side of the desk because he was old and bored, good dude.)

I asked him if this was the new standard going forward. "No, it's just for you and those 3 other guys."

I said "You know that that could be viewed as favoritism, right? You guys are going to get hammered with grievances."

He cussed for the second time in 2 months. "Shit."

He called me a half hour later. "I just wanted to let you know that that MOU is the standard now for the duration of this contract."

They're looking to add 150 people in the next few months, and they'll all get health insurance at the 30 day mark. We have 4 years left on our contract.

Bonus: 30 day HWP will be rock solid embedded in "Past Practices" after 4 years. So the company will have to offer something juicy if they want 90 days.

We fucking WON.