"It's been hostile, frankly, and that's unfortunate because the impetus for the staff unionizing is how much we care about the youth and this organization..."
Answers To Some Frequently Asked Questions Regarding SEIU 1199 Demands To YPI Management and Board
Q: What is happening?
A: Some Youth Pride, Inc. staff voted to be represented by a union, as is their right. Management agreed to an expedited election and did not try to hinder or sway staff to vote one way or another. We will continue to move forward with our staff and SEIU 1199 in good faith collective bargaining scheduled to start this coming week.
Q: Why does it look like YPI is not responding to the accusations and demands coming from SEIU 1199?
A: The place to address the demands coming from SEIU 1199 is at the bargaining table. We have agreed to meet on the date offered by the union’s leadership and we are prepared to discuss the issues that have been raised publicly at the bargaining table. As far as responding to accusations, SEIU 1199 has raised these accusations at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and we will respond accordingly in that forum as the law requires.
Q: What about the staff and former staff claiming retaliation when they tried to unionize?
A: SEIU 1199 has filed Unjust Labor Practice charges with the NLRB on behalf of the two individuals. YPI maintains that we have not retaliated and will not retaliate against workers for organizing. We will share evidence that defends our position at the appropriate time at the NLRB, while respecting the privacy of the current and former staff making those accusations.
We sincerely thank the community for the outpouring of concern for all parties. We are confident that as we navigate this situation, our community will be stronger for it.
It always amazes me that organizations that should be union friendly hate it when their own staff unionize. Pathetic. And it is not uncommon. Ralph Nader always worked to prevent the staff at non profits he started from unionizing.
Truly, we are unbelievably fortunate to have Steve Ahlquist tirelessly shine a light on injustice and resistance in the myriad places they occur in "Rhode Island." Union-busting is rampant, but that is because unionization is surging, i.e., we're winning. People power is unstoppable. The concrete action step provided in this piece makes it even more powerful and valuable. YPI workers have a right to unionize, and together we can ensure that this right is upheld so that they can demand and win fair working conditions and dignity. Otherwise, YPI is betraying not only its staff but those "service users" who turn to it for support.
YPI responds on Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=784635583699568&set=a.332431878919943]
Answers To Some Frequently Asked Questions Regarding SEIU 1199 Demands To YPI Management and Board
Q: What is happening?
A: Some Youth Pride, Inc. staff voted to be represented by a union, as is their right. Management agreed to an expedited election and did not try to hinder or sway staff to vote one way or another. We will continue to move forward with our staff and SEIU 1199 in good faith collective bargaining scheduled to start this coming week.
Q: Why does it look like YPI is not responding to the accusations and demands coming from SEIU 1199?
A: The place to address the demands coming from SEIU 1199 is at the bargaining table. We have agreed to meet on the date offered by the union’s leadership and we are prepared to discuss the issues that have been raised publicly at the bargaining table. As far as responding to accusations, SEIU 1199 has raised these accusations at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and we will respond accordingly in that forum as the law requires.
Q: What about the staff and former staff claiming retaliation when they tried to unionize?
A: SEIU 1199 has filed Unjust Labor Practice charges with the NLRB on behalf of the two individuals. YPI maintains that we have not retaliated and will not retaliate against workers for organizing. We will share evidence that defends our position at the appropriate time at the NLRB, while respecting the privacy of the current and former staff making those accusations.
We sincerely thank the community for the outpouring of concern for all parties. We are confident that as we navigate this situation, our community will be stronger for it.
It always amazes me that organizations that should be union friendly hate it when their own staff unionize. Pathetic. And it is not uncommon. Ralph Nader always worked to prevent the staff at non profits he started from unionizing.
Truly, we are unbelievably fortunate to have Steve Ahlquist tirelessly shine a light on injustice and resistance in the myriad places they occur in "Rhode Island." Union-busting is rampant, but that is because unionization is surging, i.e., we're winning. People power is unstoppable. The concrete action step provided in this piece makes it even more powerful and valuable. YPI workers have a right to unionize, and together we can ensure that this right is upheld so that they can demand and win fair working conditions and dignity. Otherwise, YPI is betraying not only its staff but those "service users" who turn to it for support.
Injustice by to one is injustice to all! Not only the Wobblies understood that.