Union workers at TruStage, formerly known as CUNA Mutual Group, voted earlier this week to extend their strike as they continue to call for management to offer them a fair contract.
Workers with OPEIU Local 39 first went on strike last Friday after claiming that TruStage management had not been bargaining with them in good faith.
Around 450 of the 1,750 workers in TruStage’s Madison offices are a part of that union, where 94% of union workers voted to authorize the strike extension. The strike is the first since the company unionized in the 1940s.
Workers first voted to authorize the strike at a meeting last month, after negotiating with the company for a new contract for over a year. They say that their top concerns are cutting benefits, outsourcing of jobs, and wage increases that don’t match inflation.
The union has also filed multiple allegations against the company with the National Labor Relations Board, including retaliation for union activity, unfairly laying off union organizers, and bargaining in bad faith. The NLRB is still investigating those allegations.
Earlier today I went down to the picket line to talk with Will Roberts, multimedia specialist with TruStage and OPEIU member, about the strike.
A representative from TruStage told WORT today, “TruStage is determined to reach an agreement that is fair and market competitive that meets the needs of our employees, customers and company. From the start, we have bargained in good faith to come to an agreement, and we are working very hard through the many complex issues on the table. We are encouraged by the progress we’ve made in the last two weeks, and we have additional mediation sessions set for next week. As a result of our strong business resiliency plans, we have been able to provide uninterrupted service to our customers as we continue to bargain.”
Photo courtesy: Nate Wegehaupt / WORT News Team
