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Social Workers Fight for Socially 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 the wages and working conditions of social workers across the land, but she doesn't practice what she preaches.
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 as they circled in front of the NASW building Nov. 17.
"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 bargaining with assistance from 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."
Under management's plan to increase employees' share of health premiums, some workers would end up with less than a 1 percent salary raise per year. NASW also wants to eliminate a compressed work schedule that gives workers flexibility to care for their own older family members.
To pressure the workers to accept its proposals, the non-profit agency stopped payroll deduction of dues when the old pact expired, and informed the bargaining unit that failure to accept the proposed salary increase by Oct. 15 would result in loss of retroactive pay.
"We've got to take a stand now for a wage increase that will not be diminished by health care cost shifting," 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."
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 as they circled in front of the NASW building Nov. 17.
"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 bargaining with assistance from 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."
Under management's plan to increase employees' share of health premiums, some workers would end up with less than a 1 percent salary raise per year. NASW also wants to eliminate a compressed work schedule that gives workers flexibility to care for their own older family members.
To pressure the workers to accept its proposals, the non-profit agency stopped payroll deduction of dues when the old pact expired, and informed the bargaining unit that failure to accept the proposed salary increase by Oct. 15 would result in loss of retroactive pay.
"We've got to take a stand now for a wage increase that will not be diminished by health care cost shifting," 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."