In anticipation of our return to the bargaining table on Monday, we wanted to touch base. Management has made clear that their priority is lining their own pockets. We are left with a lot of questions, uncertainty, and distrust. There have also been even more recent developments with wage theft, so please keep reading (and then check your paystubs after).
Even in the face of more challenges, we will continue to stand strong together and make sure our voices are heard – whatever that may take.
We have faced years of layoffs. We lost YouthCare’s biggest hubs, UDYC & South Seattle Shelter. We’re left wondering: who will serve these vulnerable youth if there is only one case manager and a severely limited workforce navigation team? Who will continue to work the floor, be the main point of contact, help with meals and cleaning duties if there are no engagement specialists?
The Board lays us off in the name of ‘financial security,’ but refuses to be transparent about said finances. It’s unclear how much they pay interim CEO Marty Hartmen, their attorney Ben Eckhart, or any other consultants. They refused to disclose how much severance they’ve given to any number of the executives who left the agency – but, they’ve made it clear that they won’t even consider severance for us.
While the Board chooses to decimate our programs, they refuse to allow us to attend any Board session. The Board is planning to gut the Orion Center and continue selling us out by giving the work to ‘partner’ agencies. It’s clear we are in this ‘dire’ situation because of mismanagement, but we – the ones showing up for the youth daily – are paying the price.
Were it not for one of us speaking up and intervening with our Union Rep, management would’ve gotten away with stealing 401(k) contributions. That’s right – money was being taken out of their paycheck but not put into their 401(k). Check your paystubs and accounts to ensure proper payment.
Reminder: Were it not for us, management would’ve gotten away with stealing 6 months of our union-dues earlier this year. Were it not for us, they would’ve gotten away with stealing wages from Casa staff. We cannot let our guard down. We cannot believe in leaders whose mistakes continuously land on the side of theft, dishonesty, and neglect. We are seeing right through it.
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We return to the bargaining table on Monday, Nov. 17, to negotiate our next CBA. We start negotiation over layoffs at the Orion Center on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Keep an eye on your email inbox and/or workplace dashboard on our website at the end of next week for an update.