Q: Why are we organizing?
A: We’re organizing because it’s time that San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center (SGPRC) catch up to other regional centers and offer better pay, benefits, job security, and working conditions. In recent years, we’ve faced rollbacks and takeaways, and we often have too hard a time getting management’s attention when serious issues arise. This all leads to staff frustration, higher turnover, and an environment where serious issues go unaddressed — meaning worse services and outcomes for our clients.
They deserve better. We deserve better.
In their recent union contracts, unionized staff the North LA and Tri-Counties regional centers both received over 20% pay raises over the life of their contracts, plus bonuses, better vacation policies, and mandatory meetings with management to discuss workplace issues — including important health and safety concerns that often come up on the job. They also have grievance procedures for employees and just cause provisions that protect them against unfair discipline, including termination.
If you’d like to become involved in deeper organizing and support building for a union, then please contact Zuri Duarte at 323-578-5867 or Ashley Ware at 323-382-8980 from SEIU Local 721.
Q: What is SEIU?
A: The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the largest and most powerful union in Southern California with more than 100,000 members in the public and private sectors. 721 has expertise with workers like us, representing union members at the Harbor, Tri-Counties, and North Los Angeles regional centers and winning them strong union contracts.
Q: Who will be in charge of our union?
A: We — the employees of SGPRC — will control oversee every aspect of our union. We will use democratic processes to make decisions on what we want to bargain for. Ultimately any union contract will need a majority of our votes to pass. As members of SEIU, SGPRC workers ARE the union.
Q: What is meant by the term “exclusive representative”?
A: The term ‘sole and exclusive representative’ is a legal term that ensures that SGPRC will recognize that we are joining SEIU Local 721. Still, as noted above, SGPRC workers will lead our union, set its priorities, and shape our first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) — or union contract — with SGPRC, not a third party.
Q: Would a union prevent me from trying to resolve workplace issues on my own?
No. Even after establishing our union, all SGPRC employees will still be able to communicate directly with their supervisors and the administration about any workplace issues.
With a union, however, we can establish a union contract that includes protections for us and our coworkers that make us more comfortable bringing issues and concerns to managers. This includes protections against unfair termination, discrimination, and retaliation — which tend to make employees feel safer bringing problems to their managers.
We will also fight to have our CBA include policies and mechanisms for addressing complaints and concerns individually or collectively SGPRC will be obligated to follow the guidelines laid out in the CBA by law — which gives us more power and leverage in our discussions with management. For instance, unionized regional centers’ contracts often establish what are called joint-labor management (JLM) meetings — where our representatives and SGPRC agree to regularly meet, discuss, and address workplace issues. Management can’t simply cancel these meetings without our consent.
In short: A union means much more meaningful and accountable communication with our managers and the administration, not less.
Q: What will a union mean for me in real terms?
A: Forming a union enables SGPRC employees to negotiate collectively for better terms of employment, using democratic processes to ensure that the interests of all SGPRC employees are served. A union contract will establish a floor for what constitutes fair treatment and compensation, not a ceiling. At present, there is a ceiling but no floor.
Q: How much will it cost? Will I have to pay dues even if I’m on leave?
No one will pay any union dues until we negotiate a contract establishing agreed-upon terms of employment. We will only approve a contract that results in better pay and working conditions for our members. This contract is then ratified by SGPRC employees through a democratic election. Dues will be 1.5% of our base pay before taxes. There are no initiation fees.
Q: Am I allowed to voice my opinion on unionization?
A: Yes. Federal law protects your right to organize a union. Under the National Labor Relations Act, you have the right to talk to your SGPRC coworkers about your views on unionization, organize with your colleagues to make your collective views known, attend meetings to discuss the benefits of union representation, and to distribute information to your coworkers about the union. It is against the law for an employer to threaten, coerce, or retaliate against you for exercising these legal rights in the workplace.
Q: What can I do if I feel intimidated at work, or am retaliated against for voicing my opinion on union representation?
It is your legally protected right to join with your coworkers to organize for union representation. If you have been threatened or intimidated for exercising your rights in the workplace, please contact Jesus Garcia at 213-280-7707.