Tompkins Community Action Workers Hold Successful Vote for Unionization!

Tompkins Community Action (TCA) workers are pleased to announce their unionization. In voting supervised by the National Labor Relations Board and held January 3, a majority of the nonprofessional staff, including workers in TCA’s four primary program areas: (Energy Services, Housing Services, Early Childhood, and Family Resources) voted to affiliate with Painters District Council #4.

“With this vote, staff will have a real voice at work and can begin to address some of the concerns that led to the organizing drive”, said Josh Ganger, a TCA Information Technology worker and member of the union’s Organizing Committee. “We expect to sit down with management shortly and work quickly to develop our first contract to address these concerns.”

Ruth Williams, a worker in Family Resources for over 20 years and another member of the union’s Organizing Committee said: “This agency provides very important programs in the community. Employees can only be as productive as the level of trust and respect is offered. It is our full intention to heal that trust and respect so quality focus can resume.”

The Tompkins County Workers’ Center played a key role in getting the workers together and providing early support. “Over the years we have received many complaints from TCA employees,” said Pete Meyers, Workers’ Center Coordinator, “and it was frustrating to see the problems continue. The new union will empower the workers and give them the ability to achieve their goals of a more just and democratic workplace.”

Over 70 workers will be in the new bargaining unit. In a separate vote, teachers employed by TCA rejected unionization.