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Social Workers Fight for Responsible Contract
It's the height of hypocrisy, say social workers and administrative staff at the National Association of Social Workers. NASW Executive Director Betsy Clark says she wants to improve wages and working conditions for social workers across the country, but she doesn't practice what she preaches, say CWA members at the agency. About 40 Local 2382 members conducted informational picketing and leafleted passers-by outside NASW headquarters in Washington, D.C., where they work. Their 82-member bargaining unit has been without a contract since June 30.
"Two percent is not enough," the workers chanted on Nov. 17 as they marched outside the NASW building.
"What management's offering is about a 2 percent raise, and they want to double the cost of our health benefits," said local President Helen Williams who heads the bargaining committee, along with District 2 CWA Representative Jimmy Tarlau.
Though they have been meeting with management, there has been little or no movement. Said bargaining committee member Dina Zarrella, "We feel like we've been bargaining amongst ourselves."
Management proposes cutting annual salary increases in half over a three-year contract term and would increase employees' share of health premiums to the point that some workers would end up with less than a 1 percent salary increase per year. Management wants to eliminate a compressed work schedule that now gives employees flexibility to care for their own older family members.
To pressure workers to accept its proposals, the non-profit agency stopped payroll dues deduction when the previous contract expired, refused to extend the contract for the first month thereafter and informed the bargaining unit that failure to accept the proposed salary increase by Oct. 15 would result in loss of retroactive pay.
But, supported by District 1 and Public Workers staff, local members are hanging tough.
"If we don't fight for our health care, they're not going to give us anything," said Calvin Money, assistant to Public, Health Care and Education Workers Vice President Brooks Sunkett.
Said Charles Buttiglieri, assistant to District 2 Vice President Pete Catucci, "Right now, we're asking nicely, but if we have to do more to get it, we will."
"Two percent is not enough," the workers chanted on Nov. 17 as they marched outside the NASW building.
"What management's offering is about a 2 percent raise, and they want to double the cost of our health benefits," said local President Helen Williams who heads the bargaining committee, along with District 2 CWA Representative Jimmy Tarlau.
Though they have been meeting with management, there has been little or no movement. Said bargaining committee member Dina Zarrella, "We feel like we've been bargaining amongst ourselves."
Management proposes cutting annual salary increases in half over a three-year contract term and would increase employees' share of health premiums to the point that some workers would end up with less than a 1 percent salary increase per year. Management wants to eliminate a compressed work schedule that now gives employees flexibility to care for their own older family members.
To pressure workers to accept its proposals, the non-profit agency stopped payroll dues deduction when the previous contract expired, refused to extend the contract for the first month thereafter and informed the bargaining unit that failure to accept the proposed salary increase by Oct. 15 would result in loss of retroactive pay.
But, supported by District 1 and Public Workers staff, local members are hanging tough.
"If we don't fight for our health care, they're not going to give us anything," said Calvin Money, assistant to Public, Health Care and Education Workers Vice President Brooks Sunkett.
Said Charles Buttiglieri, assistant to District 2 Vice President Pete Catucci, "Right now, we're asking nicely, but if we have to do more to get it, we will."