Kentucky Federal Contract Workers Vote Overwhelmingly for UE in Largest Union Election of COVID-19 Era
(photo taken pre-pandemic)
In what is so far the largest NLRB election victory of the COVID-19 era, almost 400 workers employed by federal contractors at the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) have voted overwhelmingly to join UE in a mail ballot election. The Kentucky Consular Center is the sister shop to the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, represented by UE Local 228. Both locations process visa and “green card” applications for the Federal government.
Read more on ueunion.org »
First UE Contract for New Jersey Paraprofessionals
Local 119 members take action at a Board of Education meeting (before the pandemic)
The members of UE Local 119, about 200 paraprofessionals who work for ESS, a private contractor for the Winslow School District in Atco, New Jersey, won their first UE contract at the end of June. The contract gives paraprofessionals just cause, a grievance procedure, seniority rights, job bidding rights, and job security from school year to school year — before they organized, ESS workers wouldn't know if they had a job from year to year until the employer send them an "offer" letter, usually in August. After years of no raises, UE members will get between 8.7% and 18.18% raises in the first year and a 4% raise in second year. They also won a paid training day and other paid time off (they previously had no paid days off).
Read more on the UE Facebook page »
UE Launches Instagram Account with Fred Wright Celebration
UE launched a new Instagram account on June 24 with a celebration of UE cartoonist Fred Wright, who was born on June 24, 1907. He worked for UE from 1949 until his death in 1984. The UE NEWS asked retired managing editor Peter Gilmore, who worked with Wright, to write a recollection of Wright for this occasion, which can be found here. More Fred Wright cartoons can be found at this online exhibit, put together by the University of Pittsburgh archives.
Follow UE on Instagram at @ueunion »
PTI Rail Crew Drivers in California, Nevada Choose UE to Maintain Standards, Safety
PTI workers in California and Nevada, who transport rail crews in passenger vans for the Union Pacific railroad, voted to join UE in an NLRB election in mid-June. “Unions are the backbone of working men and women everywhere,” said PTI driver Samantha Saint-Cyr, explaining why she and her co-workers voted to join UE. “Without them we are subject to the whims of Corporate America.” Read more »
All Workers Must Stand Against Police Violence
UE's General Executive Board, which met via Zoom on June 22 and 23, issued a statement on police violence, which reads in part “The labor movement has a special responsibility to speak out on this issue. Too many of our members have experienced violence and harassment from the police due to nothing more than the color of their skin. All workers who struggle for a better life are threatened when the police are used to violently suppress protest.” Read the full statement »
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