Madison, WI – Workers at TruStage Financial Group, formerly CUNA Mutual Group, say they will reject the Employer’s offer if put to a vote this month. TruStage workers, represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39, have been bargaining with TruStage since March 2022 for a successor collective bargaining agreement. Negotiations broke down at the end of 2022, leading to the Union filing numerous Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) claims with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and a two-week strike in May-June 2023. In July, the NLRB found merit in the first of the Union’s claims and ordered the Company to turn over bargaining and representation information they had withheld from the Union.
Since the strike, negotiations have resumed but have not progressed towards a deal viewed satisfactory by the Union. August 14th marked 500 days without a contract for the Union. The Union anticipates that TruStage will present a “last, best, final” offer to the Union in the coming weeks. In anticipation of an offer, OPEIU 39 held a meeting on Thursday, August 17th with hundreds of union members, going through the Employer’s entire proposal as it stands. Following the presentation of the Employer’s proposal, the Union polled membership on their reaction to the offer. Chief Steward Joe Evica explained,
“More than 90% of membership indicated they would vote no on the Employer’s current proposal, which offers wages far below inflation, no retroactive pay for the last year and a half we have been without a contract, and slashes retirement benefits in half by eliminating the pension plan for new hires.”
Rank and file union members gave their reactions. “I could not in good conscience vote for a proposal that does such a disservice to our current Union employees, our future Union members, and the community as a whole,” said Joel Bryhan.
Liz Kidder added, “I would say no to the Company’s offer due to what I have gone through in my personal life. My family is struggling even though I work a second job along with working full time for TruStage. It’s embarrassing to say I work for a company that made record profits, but I can barely pay my bills.”
“I wholeheartedly reject TruStage’s current proposal,” said Tracy De Grandis. “TruStage is acting like a naughty child by committing Unfair Labor Practices and stalling at the bargaining table. As a parent, I know that naughty children need consequences to learn what they’re doing is wrong. TruStage is facing the consequence of having virtually no members willing to accept their current proposal. I can only hope TruStage learns their lesson.”
Sue Dresen, who has worked for TruStage/CUNA Mutual for 47 years, summed up: “We will not agree on a contract from the company without back pay. I’m personally proud of our bargaining team fighting for each of us and all the sacrifices they have gone through these last 500+ days. We are more united than we have ever been in my career at TruStage.”
“Membership has sent a clear message to TruStage executives that they must do better,” Chief Steward Evica explained. “After record breaking profits the last several years, employees deserve a fair contract.”
The Union and Company return to the bargaining table on Tuesday, August 22nd with a federal mediator. If members vote down the Company’s proposal, the parties would return for another round of negotiations.
