Union Advocacy: Demand Fair Compensation for Essential Workers

Jessie Brown AC2108460 SP180 Assignment 7 11/6/23 [DATE] [COMPANY NAME] [Company address]

Slide 1 Good evening, everyone, I would like to thank everyone for attending this union meeting today, especially our state union representatives who came all the way from Philadelphia, for us here at York County Children, Youth, and Families. I stand before you today not just as a paraprofessional caseworker but as one of us, someone who understands the challenges we face every day. Today, I urge you to join me in voting "no" for the proposed Union 668 Contract. We are a workforce that is underappreciated and underpaid, and it's time we demanded the recognition and compensation we rightfully deserve.

Slide 2 I want to draw your attention to the fact that we, as dedicated employees, are being taken advantage of. The county openly admits that they cannot function without us, yet our contributions to the community are being undervalued, and our concerns ignored. My name is Jessie Brown, and I have been in your shoes for the past two years. I've witnessed the struggles we face firsthand, and I am here today to advocate for our collective well-being. We should reject the current contract proposed by Union 668. Our collective strength can bring about change, not just for ourselves but for our families, our future, and our peace of mind. Today, I will address the pressing issues we face: the need for fair compensation, revised inclement weather policies, and proper compensation for pest extermination. Additionally, I will

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highlight the disparities in wages between our county and neighboring counties, emphasizing the urgency of our situation.

Slide 3 Inclement Weather Policies: Our safety should be a priority. It's unacceptable that we are forced to risk our well-being during extreme weather conditions. We demand revised inclement weather policies that prioritize our safety, either by providing snow days like neighboring counties or compensating us adequately for risking our lives (News, 2023b).

Slide 4 Pest Extermination Compensation: In the line of duty, we encounter various pests like lice and bedbugs. It is unjust that we must foot the bill for extermination when all we were doing was ensuring the safety of the children under our care. This needs to change. We should not bear the financial burden of doing our jobs. The two most common pests we face are lice and bed bugs. Lice Lifter in Lancaster, is the closest provider for such a thing, costing up to $129 per person (Lice Removal Services Company Lancaster PA | Lice Lifters, n.d.). Bed bug extermination can cost more than $1,500 (Pettis, 2021). Think about that for a second, it is more than an entire paycheck, bearing in mind we get paid biweekly. I don’t know about you, but I am not willing to spend my entire mortgage payment on an extermination for something I contracted while at work. If we can fund it for our families, sometimes multiple times, why can’t they compensate us? The ones doing the very literal dirty work.

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Slide 5 Fair Compensation: We are not just employees; we are the backbone of this agency. It is disheartening to know that we are among the lowest paid despite having the highest number of referrals in the state while being staffed at 40% since the beginning of COVID (News, 2023). Our neighboring county, with significantly fewer placements, pays its employees more. We should not have to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. We deserve fair compensation for the vital work we do every day. Adams County, right next door not only has a significantly smaller work load, they are getting paid more than we are. For example, a caseworker in Adams county right now is making $19.57 per hour, meanwhile our caseworkers are sitting at $14-$16 grocery shopping at the dollar store(Recruitment, 2023). Not to mention the heightened scrutiny we have faced lately related to our neighboring county having been charged with a fatality (Knol, 2023).

Slide 6 Our strength lies in our unity. We must stand together and negotiate our new contract with unwavering determination. By presenting a united front, we can compel the county to address our concerns seriously. We have already authorized a strike twice. Each time we are asked to come back to the table for further negotiations as a curtesy. We have complied BOTH times, just to be sent away empty handed. I say, “no more”. I know I am not the only one who is done playing these games, it is time for us to stand up and change something (York County Workers at the Area Agency of Aging and the Office of Children, Youth, and Family Reject Proposed Tentative Agreement, Authorizing a Strike, 2023). If it takes a strike on our part, so be it. The county will not be able to function for a single day, forcing them to meet our demands. We must demand revised inclement weather policies. Policies that prioritize our safety, ensuring we are not forced to endanger ourselves when nature is at its worst. Our lives and well- being should not be compromised for the job.

We need to fight for equal pay for equal work. It is essential to bridge the wage gap between us and neighboring counties. We should not have to choose between our jobs and our families' well-being.

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Slide 7 Our voices matter. By voting "no" for the Union 668 Contract, we are taking a stand for our dignity, our families, and our future. Let us come together, rally against the injustices we face, and pave the way for a better, fairer workplace for all. Thank you.

References Knol, K. (2023, August 1). Adams County employees charged with endangerment in toddler’s violent death . WITF. https://www.witf.org/2023/08/01/adams-county-employees-charged-with- endangerment-in-toddlers-violent-death/#:~:text=Three%20Children%20and%20Youth %20Services Lice Removal Services Company Lancaster PA | Lice Lifters . (n.d.). Licelifterslanc.com. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.licelifterslanc.com/treatments/ News, C. 21. (2023a, July 13). York County social service workers reject proposed agreement, authorize potential strike . WHP. https://local21news.com/news/local/york-county-social-service-workers- reject-proposed-agreement-authorize-potential-strike-office-children-youth-families-cyf-area- agency-aging-service-employees-international-union-local668-monskie-chief-clerk-bargaining- table-union News, C. 21. (2023b, July 14). Social Service workers authorize potential strike, but still hope for an agreement in York . WHP. https://local21news.com/news/local/hope-for-agreement-remains-as- york-co-social-service-workers-authorize-potential-strike Pettis, G. (2021, May 5). How Much Does It Cost To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs? Dominion Pest Control. https://www.dominionpestcontrol.com/cost-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs/#:~:text=The%20cost%20to %20have%20bed Recruitment . (2023, October 25). Workforcenow.adp.com. https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=55f9c57b- cdfc-4081-8a5a- d8102543d4aa&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CareerC enter&jobId=467397

York County Workers at the Area Agency of Aging and the Office of Children, Youth, and Family Reject Proposed Tentative Agreement, Authorizing a Strike . (2023, July 14). SEIU Local 668. https://www.seiu668.org/news/york-county-workers-at-the-area-agency-of-aging-and-the-office- of-children-youth-and-family-reject-proposed-tentative-agreement-authorizing-a-strike/

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