FOODLINK
UNITED
FAQs
What is a union?
A union is one of the fundamental rights you’re entitled to as a worker. The “union” in question means “unified employees” working together and seeking better working conditions through bargaining collectively, rather than as individuals. Workers are legally entitled to join together to strengthen their bargaining position, which we call “organizing.” By working together and bargaining together, workers advance their interests in the workplace and operate as legal equals with management to improve things like workplace safety, wages, benefits, bonuses, time off, and much more.
Why would we want a union here?
If you are completely satisfied with every last thing about your work, congratulations! Even you need a union to legally protect and retain those good things. If there is room for improvement in your work--maybe the schedule isn’t working for you, maybe your supervisor is disrespectful to you, maybe you’re working in unsafe conditions, maybe you would like to be trained or certified on certain equipment, maybe you want to make more money -- then you’re in luck because that’s exactly the things your union can help with. Unionized workers make 11% higher wages than their non-union peers, and have stronger workplace protections.
We are organized under the principles of Stability, Safety, Solidarity, and a Seat at the Table. The union is a tool with many uses-- it can be like a loudspeaker, to amplify and channel the things you need which you could be ignored on if it was just you. It can be insurance or a shield for your job, so you can’t be let go without an approved reason, and if you are let go you’re well taken care of on the way out. It can be like a table which you pull up a chair to with the management team to negotiate at.
We are working with a union called the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU). They will assist us in bargaining a contract that preserves everything we like about working here, and wins us improvements that we need to do our jobs well. OPEIU has a long and proud history of working with non-profits, including our peers at the SF Marin Food Bank in California.
Who would be in the union?
Unions represent non-supervisory employees at the workplace. If you are a full or part time employee at the food bank that does not supervise anyone directly, you are likely eligible to belong to the bargaining unit. Seasonal employees and temporary contracted workers are not eligible to belong to the union. There are some exceptions for specific positions that have access to confidential information, including human resources and finance. The union will not represent or affect our many excellent programs that involve working with people - including the Foodlink Career Fellowship, Curbside Market Ambassadors, AmeriCorps Members and volunteers.
Even though some people in the building will not belong to the union, they will still see the benefits! Our contract will lay out workplace practices around wages, time off, and protections that will extend to everyone. Unions raise the floor for every person at every workplace.
Most importantly - the union is us, the eligible employees at Foodlink. You may have heard the term ‘3rd Party’, but ask yourself: Who have you heard talking about this? We are your peers, friends, and neighbors - not outsiders. OPEIU is our partner, but we are the union, and only we can make it happen.
How would this benefit me?
In quite a few ways, actually. Chances are, when you came and interviewed and received a job offer at Foodlink, it wasn’t quite as much a negotiation as it was a “here’s what you’ll be making.” You weren’t given the opportunity to negotiate or suggest changes to our employee handbook around your vacation time, benefits, job training you’d be offered, tuition reimbursement, or employer coverage of necessary equipment. And you would have been laughed at if you asked to. Why is that? It’s because you didn’t have much bargaining power, because you’re just one person. Together as a bargaining unit, all of these things and more are on the table for negotiation. Plus, one thing we will bargain over is “just-cause employment” which means if you’re going to be let go, it has to be for a “just cause”-- in other words a really good reason that the employer has to prove.
What happens to our wages, the holiday shutdown, and our bonuses?
Unions exist for the benefit of the employees at a workplace, and do not take away any of the great things that are already in place. Right now, all of Foodlink’s excellent perks and benefits are decided by a small group and could change at any time. With a union, we get a legal contract that will preserve and guarantee things like annual wage increases, our holiday pay, and bonus structures. Members of the union (like you!) would actually get to vote on this contract before it is in place. The union is our tool to make sure that everything we like remains in place, and everything we need to do our jobs well and support our families is provided for us. Ask yourself: Would you vote to take away your own holiday pay or bonuses?
Things are good for me right now, why would I want a union?
Our job as union members is to make sure that everything we have today that we like is also here for ourselves and our brothers and sisters in the future. The union contract locks in what good things we have, so when you eventually have a new manager, or Foodlink has new leadership, those things will remain. If you have been here for a while - you can be part of making sure this remains the kind of workplace you would want your friends and family to work for too.
I just started working here recently, and I like it! Why would I want a union?
That’s great! People have all different sorts of experiences at Foodlink, and our position isn’t that Foodlink is a bad place to work. Quite the opposite actually, the union is built by people who love their work and want to keep the good stuff while resolving the things they currently have no control over. The union isn’t just for troublemakers and malcontents, it’s regular Foodlink employees like you. Have you ever had issues at past jobs with things like failure to move up through the company, taking on work outside your role, not feeling safe voicing concerns, or inconsistent raises? Foodlink is a great place, but people experience these things here too, and we can fix them by getting together and posing solutions in a systematic and protected way. We want you to stay, and to learn the ropes, and to be protected in the long term.
What's up with dues? Are they expensive?
All unions are supported by dues-paying members. Our dues allow the union to provide us with resources, such as OPEIU staff help in bargaining the best contract we can get. OPEIU dues also help cover things like legal counsel should you need it. OPEIU dues are currently $48.50 per month. That comes out to about $24 per biweekly pay period, or about .30 cents/hour for a full-time employee. Part-time employee dues will be less depending on hours worked. No one will pay a cent of union dues until our first contract is negotiated and voted on, a process that will take several months after we vote to join the union. We are confident that our contract will secure raises in wages, benefits, and workplace equipment that will more than offset the cost of dues. Union members vote to approve the contract before it goes into place, which guarantees that we will come ahead of where we are now.
Can I lose money if we have a union?
In short, no. We begin the negotiation process at the baseline of our employee handbook and standard practices in the building and bargain our way up from there. It is illegal for management to attempt to get rid of things that we already have-- for example our benefits or the shutdown time-- that’s called “regressive bargaining” and it is illegal! We will bargain for a contract that protects what we have and expands what we like. And if none of that convinces you, rest assured that the contract that Foodlink employees bargain with management will then be voted on by the entire bargaining unit, including you.
What's my boss going to say? Will I get in trouble?
We don’t know exactly how each supervisor feels about unions (though some have told us!) but we do know that often bosses don’t like unions because they introduce a level of accountability for how they treat their employees.
You can’t get in trouble for supporting the union, talking to organizers, signing a union card, or voting yes for the union. It is strictly against the law for HR/managers to:
Interrogate you about whether or not you support the union, who is involved, etc.
Threaten your job (for example, “this is the kind of thing that ruins careers”)
Promise favors, promotions, better pay as a deterrent to the union
Surveil your conversations. (eg. "we saw you talking to this person, why" or "we know who is involved"). If management allows people to talk about sports or their kids in the workplace, they are legally required to let them talk about their working conditions and organize.
The main thing to remember is if a manager or HR tries to talk to you about how you feel or your involvement in the union, they are likely breaking the law, and you can politely let them know "I don't feel comfortable talking about this" and that is that! You can also tell them that you don't know anything about anything--if you suspect your rights are being violated, tell an organizer.
What will the community think? Won't we lose support?
Members of the Rochester community are overwhelmingly behind our effort, because they know that what is good for the workers is good for the organization. Here is a list of some of our supporters:
Local politicians, including:
Congressman Joe Morelle, State Assemblymembers Harry Bronson, Demond Meeks, Sarah Clarke, and Jenn Lunsford, State Senators Samra Brouk and Jeremy Cooney, County Legislator Rachel Barnhart, and City Council Member Mary Lupien.
Churches, including:
The South Wedge Mission, First Universalist Church, Asbury First Methodist Church pastors, and Lutheran Church of Reformation.
Community organizations and labor unions, including:
Cuba Cultural Center, the NYS Working Families Party, RORE (rank and file members of the teachers union and food service workers union), 490 Farmers, Metro Justice, and the Rochester Genesee Valley Labor Federation.
This all sounds great! How can I help?
Sign an anonymous card (physical or digital) to show your support. NO ONE sees this card at all except you and an organizer who is keeping them safe, far away from Foodlink. These cards help us ensure that a majority of people have indicated their support. Signing a card does not legally commit you to voting one way or another in an election.
Talk to a coworker! Do you know someone who is interested but not sure whom to talk to? Do you know someone who is nervous about being seen talking about this at work?
Wear a pin! We have many more ‘Foodlink United’ bee pins available for you.
Vote YES in the election when the day comes.