ADT Workers Bring the Morning Brew to the Bargaining Table

Managers at ADT in Shoreview, Minn., treated workers to an appreciation breakfast last week to celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary. This small celebration came during bargaining, which began in May. The newly established unit won recognition in January.

CWA Local 7250 Steward Jesse Selin was fed up. So were his fellow union members. The team of mostly ADT technicians handles small business and residential security system installations and service. Low pay and disinterested management had made the work unbearable, driving out both new techs and seasoned veterans. Many of the workers felt like cattle, driven to perform with little regard for morale or concern for the toxic environment, leading to chronic understaffing.

Jesse needed some way to humanize the workforce and wake management up. What better way to do that than with coffee?

Jesse organized his co-workers so each of them arrived at the breakfast carrying a coffee mug. Printed on the sides of each mug were the names of their colleagues who had left the job. The crew set out 33 mugs in all. The visual was simple yet powerful.

Jesse addressed the managers at the breakfast, saying, “You may see a ton of mugs on the counter in the back warehouse. You’ll recognize many of the names on them. These are the people who would be here today if ADT was truly grateful for them. Some of these people worked for ADT for 15 or 20 years. Some just a few months. We as a team thought it was appropriate to remember those who aren't here anymore on this big day.”

Contract negotiations will continue for CWA Local 7250, and management has been put on notice that the workforce demands respect.

 
CWA Local 7250 Steward Jesse Selin and his coworkers took creative action to remind management of their humanity and the need for respect on the job.