Staffers are organizing for job protections, a voice in the workplace, and better working conditions. They say a union will strengthen the organization by reducing turnover and improving worker morale.
Aug. 21, 2024 — Today, dozens of SEIU Local 32BJ staff publicly announced their campaign to form a staff union, citing their commitment to better serve members, strengthen the organization, and expand the labor movement.
The 32BJ Staff Union represents the employees who work for the largest property services union in the United States, who are not protected by a union themselves while representing and supporting 180,000 32BJ members.
In their mission statement, workers stated they are forming a union because “We believe in unions for all. All workers deserve dignity and a voice on the job, including union staff. 32BJ knows that workers prosper with a union; unions improve workplaces, industries, and communities. That’s why we fight every day to uplift workers, and win contracts which guarantee them respect, dignity, and job security. Staff Union members are proud to unite and call upon 32BJ leadership to bring these values home to our workplace.”
Workers called upon 32BJ President Manny Pastreich and fellow 32BJ leaders to “embrace the values of the labor movement” and respect their right to organize.
“We want to empower staff to feel heard and respected. We are demanding 32BJ put their values of workplace democracy into practice and recognize that its staff deserves a voice and a contract as much as any other group of workers. By winning a say in the decisions that affect our work and our lives, and negotiating a contract in good faith guaranteeing job protections, representation, and fair compensation, we know we will strengthen our fight for strong, family-sustaining union jobs for all workers.”
32BJ In-House Staff Union members are seeking representation with The NewsGuild-CWA, an affiliate of the Communications Workers of America which represents over 27,000 workers across media workplaces, nonprofits, and labor unions. The union drive is a national effort, spreading across all of the mega-local’s districts up and down the East Coast, from Miami to New York City and beyond.
Testimony from 32BJ Staff Members
32BJ staff members report a variety of motivations for joining the union drive, but most common is the fight for job security and just cause protections. These workers want the basic workplace rights that brought them to the labor movement in the first place – fair representation, a contract, and a voice in the workplace.
“As at-will employees we could be fired for any reason, or no reason at all. The job security guaranteed by union representation should be a right of workers everywhere.” – Jeff Barrois, Digital Organizer, Communications, Virginia
“We fight to establish the rights for and protect the rights of our members everyday, and we deserve no less. We provide representation and guidance to our members everyday, and we deserve no less. We work to ensure that the companies that employ our members treat them fairly and with respect, and we deserve no less. Unions for all!” – Esther Innis, Lead Field Representative, NJ Schools, New Jersey
“I want a union because I think it’s really important for all workers to have a voice on the job.” – Jonica Stewart, Organizer, Atlanta Airports, Georgia
“I want the same job protection and security we fight for for our members, I’m tired of seeing talented coworkers fired.” – Sylvie Craig, NJ Residential Research Analyst, Research & Policy Department, New Jersey & New York
“Unions preach workplace democracy. They should practice workplace democracy.” – Nancy Engel, Data Analyst, Data Department, New York
“We need a union for the same reason I’m out there fighting everyday for our members. To have a voice on the job!” – Stacy Bodtmann, Organizer, NJ Airports, New Jersey
“I was a union member at another union for most of my working life. I’ve seen first hand the importance of union representation in letting employees have a voice in the workplace without fear of retaliation. When I started at 32BJ earlier this year, it was the first time in over 15 years I was an at-will employee. Now I can be terminated anytime without cause. It’s like walking on eggshells.” – Nova Galarza, Organizer, Fast Food, New York
“I don’t think one’s experience at 32BJ should be solely determined by what kind of supervisor they have. I am determined to fight for SEIU’s vision of unions for all and strongly believe that vision does not exclude its own staff.” – Jen Collao, Airports Researcher, Research & Policy, New York
“Working at 32BJ gives us a front row view of the benefits of unionization and collective bargaining for our members. All workers deserve this, and that includes us!” – Dan Wilson, Complaint and Arbitration Specialist, Contract Enforcement, New York
“I’m fighting for equality, respect, good protection, and more transparency.” – Jessica Tamayo, Organizer, Capital Area District Airports, Washington DC
“As someone who comes from a union family, it was so confusing for me to realize that working for one doesn’t offer us the same protections that we demand for our members every day. When I say that I believe in Unions For All, that includes me and my coworkers. We, just like the workers we love to help represent, are deserving of the respect and dignity of a fair contract.” – Metztli Hamelius, Legal Assistant, Legal & Contract Enforcement, New York
“I want a union because when leadership says Unions For All they mean for ALL.” – Rene Ibarra, Organizer, Charlotte Airports, North Carolina
“We all care deeply about the work we do on behalf of our members, but we see a lot of talented and passionate people leave–both voluntarily and involuntarily–because of unsustainable work conditions. A union will improve staff recruitment and retention, like they do everywhere.” – Antara Nader, Policy Analyst, Research & Policy, New York
“I’m a third generation union member, so I know firsthand how representation changes families’ lives. I’ve seen how hard this union’s staff works for our members, and I believe we deserve the same protections we fight for every day.” – Phyllis Thompson, Bargaining & Employer Relations Analyst, New York Metro Operations, New York
“We protect our members’ right to just cause and progressive discipline everyday and I believe we should be given the same. With a union and a collectively bargained contract I would be able to do my work better by being reassured I have just cause.” – Jeremy Espinal, Organizer, Fast Food, New York