For Immediate Release—5/31/23
Madison Area Democratic Socialists of America
Contact: dsamadison@gmail.com
Madison Area Democratic Socialists of America enthusiastically supports ongoing Unfair Labor Practices Strike of OPEIU Local 39, which represents 450 workers at TruStage (until recently known as CUNA Mutual Group), an insurance firm. This strike is extremely important in the Madison community, and is the largest we’ve seen in a decade.
TruStage, who had the audacity to launch their new brand while workers walked the picket line outside their west-side building, is one of the largest private employers in Madison. TruStage’s new brand boasts diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives such as “giving back” and “social justice,” while they have refused to bargain in good faith with their employees for at least two years.
The workers who produce TruStage’s exorbitant profits want what they deserve – better working conditions. TruStage has outsourced more than one thousand union jobs to contractors and is trying to remove the pension plan for new hires.
Workers at TruStage are demanding wages that keep up with inflation, a continuation of the pension plan for new hires, quality health insurance for those who live in Wisconsin and those working remotely, and a stop to the union-busting outsourcing.
Joe Evica, chief union steward at OPEIU 39, was fired by the company earlier this year. We stand by the union, who view his firing as retaliation and an illegal labor practice, and are demanding his reinstatement. He and other workers harmed by TruStage’s unfair labor practices deserve justice.
This strike comes at a time when unionization is on the rise in Madison and across the country. We’ve recently seen local union drives at Madison Sourdough, various Starbucks locations, UW Nurses, Collectivo, Noble Knight Games and more. As socialists, we understand that a win for workers at TruStage is a win for workers at all other workplaces. A win for one union is a win for all unions.
Madison Area DSA condemns the unfair labor practices of TruStage, implores TruStage executives to come to the table and negotiate in good faith, and most importantly, stands in solidarity with the workers exercising their right to organize themselves.
Please support OPEIU 39’s strike by donating here and showing up to support the picket.
Sources:
Red Madison 