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CWA Model Puts ‘T’ in Victory At Baker Victory Services
Work rules changing at a whim, no recognition for advanced degrees, inconsistency on pay for "snow days" — just a few of the "respect issues" that led one worker at Baker Victory Services-Early Childhood Program to pick up the telephone.
"We’re interested in a union. Can you help us?" the caller inquired.
Soon Local 1133 President Barbara Bauch, District 1 Organizing Coordinator Jeff Lacher and I were sipping coffee with two inside organizers at a local restaurant. Lois Terry and Debora Holman were there on behalf of about 50 teacher’s assistants, speech and occupational therapists, social workers, personal care aides and secretaries who work with emotionally and physically challenged children. We answered questions about CWA, offered encouragement, then waited.
Weeks passed without contact, as is often the case after such meetings. We figured there was no interest, so there would be no further campaign. Then we received a second call.
The organizers wanted to meet again. This time they brought along about one-third of the eligible bargaining unit. The next meeting, also at a local restaurant, saw about 80 percent of the workers. They had questions, to be sure, but they arrived full of knowledge and excitement. The solidarity was building.
We kept the meetings going, re-evaluated the campaign and helped the BVS workers maintain their high morale throughout the filing of a petition for a National Labor Relations Board election and employer stalling tactics. BVS packed the unit with contract employees who do home visits and caused the impoundment of ballots by protesting that the election was held on a day that schools were closed to allow for plowing — by Jan. 14, we’d already had 50 inches of snow.
It had been a classic campaign — locally-based organizing, district and national staff support, an "inside" organizing committee, and systematic personal contact, building a solid majority before taking the campaign public. The BVS workers had followed the CWA model to a "T," which helped spell their "vicTory." They were so confident, they celebrated on the Friday before the results were announced.
Their optimism was justified. The tally was 34 yes to 17 no. Final certification for two new units — professional and non-professional — was expected any day from the NLRB as the CWA News went to press.
(Editor’s Note: The CWA News, at press time, received word that the NLRB will conduct a hearing on a company challenge to the election.)
"We’re interested in a union. Can you help us?" the caller inquired.
Soon Local 1133 President Barbara Bauch, District 1 Organizing Coordinator Jeff Lacher and I were sipping coffee with two inside organizers at a local restaurant. Lois Terry and Debora Holman were there on behalf of about 50 teacher’s assistants, speech and occupational therapists, social workers, personal care aides and secretaries who work with emotionally and physically challenged children. We answered questions about CWA, offered encouragement, then waited.
Weeks passed without contact, as is often the case after such meetings. We figured there was no interest, so there would be no further campaign. Then we received a second call.
The organizers wanted to meet again. This time they brought along about one-third of the eligible bargaining unit. The next meeting, also at a local restaurant, saw about 80 percent of the workers. They had questions, to be sure, but they arrived full of knowledge and excitement. The solidarity was building.
We kept the meetings going, re-evaluated the campaign and helped the BVS workers maintain their high morale throughout the filing of a petition for a National Labor Relations Board election and employer stalling tactics. BVS packed the unit with contract employees who do home visits and caused the impoundment of ballots by protesting that the election was held on a day that schools were closed to allow for plowing — by Jan. 14, we’d already had 50 inches of snow.
It had been a classic campaign — locally-based organizing, district and national staff support, an "inside" organizing committee, and systematic personal contact, building a solid majority before taking the campaign public. The BVS workers had followed the CWA model to a "T," which helped spell their "vicTory." They were so confident, they celebrated on the Friday before the results were announced.
Their optimism was justified. The tally was 34 yes to 17 no. Final certification for two new units — professional and non-professional — was expected any day from the NLRB as the CWA News went to press.
(Editor’s Note: The CWA News, at press time, received word that the NLRB will conduct a hearing on a company challenge to the election.)