Madison, WI – The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39 has moved to suspend its strike on employer TruStage, formerly CUNA Mutual Group. Approximately 450 workers represented by the Union began an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike on May 19th and have been on strike for more than two weeks. The Union has filed nine ULP charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), citing months of illegal activity by TruStage.
On Friday, June 2nd, hundreds of members met to evaluate the strike and developments in bargaining. Following discussion, Union leaders proposed suspending the strike and returning to work on Monday, 6/5/23. During the strike, OPEIU39 and TruStage representatives tentatively agreed on priority issues such as job security and remote work flexibility. But with many issues still open, members also voted to authorize a work stoppage within the next thirty days if necessary.
Chief Steward Joe Evica explained, “After illegally refusing to bargain with us for more than four months straight, our unfair labor practice strike got TruStage back to the bargaining table. We were able to make some important progress, but several large priorities and unfair labor practices remain unresolved. Though we are suspending the strike, our membership has voted 92% to go back out on the picket line if TruStage stalls the bargaining again.”
Will Roberts, a multi-media specialist at TruStage and member of the Union’s Contract Action Team noted, “This isn’t the same union that we were when we first voted to authorize this ULP strike back in April. We are far more united and determined. We’ve taken a stand against our employer’s designs to undercut and undermine our livelihoods and well-being, and that takes a lot of courage.”
Liz Kidder, a Sr. Claims Professional and Union member, said, “After learning how the bargaining session went on Friday, it really fired me up to fight harder for a fair contract. I had voted to not extend the strike because I felt like the Company was finally starting to bargain in good faith, but we have our futures on the line. They have tried to make us feel like there is no hope of obtaining a fair contract; it did the exact opposite for me. I am more than happy to go back out on the picket with my Union.”
The Union and Employer have two bargaining sessions scheduled this week, June 6th and 9th.
CONTACT: Kathryn Bartlett-Mulvihill president@opeiu39.org | communications@opeiu39.org
For additional information: https://opeiu39.org/CMGUnited.
