Northeast Parent and Child Society Workers Vote to Unionize

SCHENECTADY, NY (05/05/2022) (readMedia)-- Northeast Parent and Child Society (NPCS) workers located in Schenectady voted to join CSEA in a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election held Wednesday, May 4.

The 88 full-time and part-time workers organized with CSEA for a stronger voice on the job, a safer workplace and fair treatment. They join a recent national wave of organizing wins across the country including big recognizable names like Amazon and Starbucks.

"We're humbled that these workers chose to build their power through joining CSEA," said CSEA Capital Region Ron Briggs, who assisted the workers in their organizing efforts. "This vote result shows they clearly understand the advantages of collective action, and they join thousands of workers right here in New York State and across the country who are getting empowered through the labor movement."

The group works to help the children at NPCS (5-21 years old) navigate life at their residential facility, to and from school, and in the community. They wanted a voice to help address recent staffing issues, increase worker safety and protections, ensure fairness, equity and inclusion. "We are so excited to have won our election. We are on the way to getting the dignity and respect we deserve. This is what is best for us and the children we care for. I hope to see more opportunities for people of color in administrative roles and an expansion of diversity and inclusion of all ethnicities, fair treatment and fair salaries," said Geneva Grice, Online/On-call Counselor.

"This has been long overdue. This allows us to have our voices heard and most of all to have support. I hope to have better benefits and to feel appreciated for the job I do," said Adrian O'neale, Sr. Residential Counselor (RC3).

In 2018, researchers at MIT found that approximately 48 percent of nonunion workers would join a union if they could, amounting to 58 million workers and nearly half of the nonunion workforce. Gallup reported in 2021 that 68 percent of Americans approve of labor unions, with most Americans wanting to join a union if they could. Now in 2022, momentum is growing, and approval is the highest it's been since the 1950s.

About CSEA:

The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) is one of the largest and most influential unions in New York and the United States. CSEA has about 300,000 members and represents state, county, municipal, school district, child care, and private sector employees. Formed in 1910, CSEA has improved the lives of hardworking New Yorkers for more than 110 years and is the largest affiliate of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). For more information, go to CSEANY.org.

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