Proving that word of mouth and the importance of reputable work are invaluable, UPSEU has brought two new bargaining units on board in Massachusetts. Thanks to the relentless and dedicated service to members provided by Labor Relations Representative Roger Stolen, UPSEU continues to expand its presence in Massachusetts at an impressive rate. In the last five years, Roger has organized over ten separate bargaining units in the state, with the vast majority of them reaching out to him after hearing from other groups in Massachusetts.
In January 2022, in the Town of Boxborough, Massachusetts, the Department of Public Works employees joined UPSEU through voluntary recognition by the town. It was a group that was previously unrepresented. However, like many other groups taken advantage of by their employer, they decided that it was time to have someone defend their rights and protect their benefits. After doing their research and speaking to other bargaining units in the state, their choice was obvious. They reached out to Roger and requested that he meet with them. After the meeting took place, the group was so impressed with what UPSEU had to offer that they unanimously agreed that UPSEU was the representation they so desperately needed and wanted. UPSEU secured voluntary recognition from the town and the unit was born. The members are very excited to move forward and are eager to see their very first collective bargaining agreement, currently being negotiated by UPSEU and the Town of Boxborough.
Meanwhile, also in Massachusetts, the Hampton Wilbraham Regional School District Custodial/Maintenance Unit overwhelmingly decided to dump the current union and become part of the UPSEU family. In 2021, the unit leadership complained to UPSEU that being represented by this other union was akin to having an “absentee landlord.” One member stated that he had been a member of the Custodial/Maintenance Unit for over a year and a half and not once met a representative from their union at that time despite all of the dues he had paid. He went on to say, in fact, that the first Union representative he ever met while in that unit was from UPSEU.
UPSEU now represents bargaining units in Western, Southern and Northern Massachusetts and as word of mouth continues to travel around the state that UPSEU is now the choice for those who want a better Union, this is sure to be only the beginning.
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