If you have been following labor over the past years, then you must have noticed a significant uptick in union organizing. And if you have been following our union then you know we haven’t been left behind. In the recent years, organizing had been trending due to its increased popularity among many industries from coast to coast. Local 1500’s most recent example is the victory to represent workers at Partner’s Coffee in Williamsburg Brooklyn. A campaign filled with energy and vibrance, which is reflective of these new members whose conviction and dedication was the driving force behind this union win. The win to represent Partners came just a few weeks before wrapping up the bargaining cycle for Blank Street workers in 20 locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. This was not an easy feat but 11 months after their first bargaining session, the workers at Blank Street Coffee have successfully ratified their first contract and are now proud members of UFCW Local 1500. This is more evidence that has been a significant shift from quitting to sticking it out and organizing. And this is a change that has become more than just a trend.
Workers are incrementally joining together and not just at their own workplace. It has become more common for workers from different companies to meet and discuss their working conditions, benefits and even their pay. But workers are not dialing the union organizing hotlines just because they are unhappy or disgruntled. It is becoming more common that workers are interested in also locking in the good working conditions they may currently have. Often when a new company opens, they tend to offer good options and/or incentives to join their company. Like practices that entice customers to sign up for a new service or change cellular or cable network carriers. It is many of these same new or young companies that usually have a great culture which may be appealing to loyal employees looking to grow with a new shiny and successful employer. In many cases these are the type of employees that will work hard and take a company that is unfamiliar and build it to an everyday household name.
This is not new information but what is new is that workers are more willing to stay put and make a change. Especially in this industry, where jobs were viewed as temporary. Young workers we have seen are serious about their livelihoods and making sure their rent and other bills are paid. And they bring those concerns to the union vote and then to the bargaining table. These workers want to see change and they want to see it through from start to finish. They may be witty and fun loving, but do not get in the way of their money.
In the coming months I hope to provide you with updates on how bargaining is going with Partners Coffee in Williamsburg. At this moment I can report to you that we have a very knowledgeable and dedicated committee that is ready to pull up their sleeves and get to achieve the best deal possible and continue to raise the ceiling on better working conditions for all workers. I have not seen such a level of solidarity among workers who are either new to, or not yet in a union. There is a tight-knit community of baristas and other workers who have a vested interest in the success of the Partners Coffee workers. They have shown their support before, during, and after the organizing campaign, and want the best for our members at Partners. And it’s clear to see that the workers at Partners reciprocate that feeling for their supporters.
At the time of this writing, we have had two bargaining sessions with Partners Coffee, and as we have mentioned before, initial contracts are the hardest to negotiate, as both sides literally discuss every sentence of the new agreement. So, although we are well on our way, this process could take a while. We will update you on the progress of negotiations.
As for Blank Street Coffee, in addition to the benefits gained in their new contract, they are also now participants in our Legal Services Plan. Which means these new members will have access to many reimbursable legal fees for items like adoptions, bankruptcy filings, civil or criminal court proceedings, deeds, immigration, wills, name change, along with other plan benefits. Most of our members are covered by this employer-funded plan, and I encourage our membership to utilize these important and very useful benefits.
Folks are realizing again that organizing a union at their workplace is the best way to improve their jobs. And we have recently seen employers enhancing their benefit plans, wages, and even PTO, in an effort to be a better, or seem to be a better, more caring employer, when ultimately it is just a union-avoidance tactic used to stifle their employees’ wants or desires. We can see what they are doing. But are these employers willing to give their employees a signed document that binds them and guarantees the benefits they promise to improve? Or can they at some point take these improvements back as quickly as they decided to give them? I think we all know the answer to those questions. And I think we also all know that the only true answer to corporate control and greed is empowering the workers to stand up, speak for themselves, and unionize. I hope everyone has a great summer and please join us on Saturday September 7th as we march up 5thAvenue in the annual Labor Day Parade. Thank you for your membership!