Nearly 90 employees at Marion County (W.Va.) Senior Citizens Inc. have voted to join the United Steelworkers. The vote was held on Dec. 29, 2005, and -- by a more than two-to-one margin -- tipped heavily in favor of the Steelworkers.
The employees work in a variety of occupations, including home health aides, van drivers, meal delivery personnel and office staff. They work at four separate locations in and around Fairmont, W.Va.
Workers told Steelworkers representatives that they grew weary of an executive director who would spend large amounts of money to spruce up the facilities but then claim there was no money for workers to receive pay raises. As an example, $400 was once spent decorating the women's restroom. Interestingly, the executive director resigned the same day the election results were certified by the National Labor Relations Board.
Though it has been two years since her last raise, Josie Plyman, one of three recently elected members of the negotiating committee, said the most important issue was not related to money or benefits.
"We understand that we are a non-profit agency and that we are funded through grants, so we're not looking for big raises," Plyman said. "We just want to be treated with a little bit of dignity and respect. We were being treated like dogs, and we felt like there was no one to help us."
An anti-union consultant was hired by the agency and brought in to hold captive audience meetings with employees in groups of four or five. Employees, however, were able to see past those tactics and rise above them.
"All that did was make more people mad," Plyman said.
According to USW organizer Waymon Free, "These people wanted a union, it's just that simple. I first met with the workers on Nov. 7. About two weeks later we had enough cards signed and we petitioned for an election. We voted on December 29. An organizing campaign can't move much faster than that."
Workers will now go about the business of preparing to bargain a first contract.
The employees become members of USW District 8 where Ernest "Billy" Thompson is director. The USW is the largest industrial union in North America, representing more than 850,000 workers.
For more information, contact the USW at 1-877-511-8792
For an Organizing Contact Request Form, click HERE
