SEA CLIFF — After more than a year of organizing, Tyree Learning Center workers are now the newest members of our CSEA family.
The Tyree workers share a campus with the CSEA SCO Family of Services Local members. After seeing the many ways SCO members’ work lives improved after unionizing, Tyree workers decided they wanted to leave the group that was representing them and join CSEA.
“To see how happy people at SCO are with CSEA really spoke volumes to us,” said Tyree Learning Center Organizing Committee Member Jenna DiPietro. “We could see great things were happening for them; it’s natural to want those same things for yourself.”
Tyree Learning Center Organizing Committee member Tatia Layne initiated conversations with CSEA SCO Family of Services Local President Sirlentor Berry to get a better understanding of the organizing process and to support DiPietro, who had already begun conversations with CSEA’s Organizing Department about unionizing.
After delving into the workers’ contract with their former representation, our union realized the group’s contract “was a sham.”
Once Tyree workers realized what they were in, their desire to break away from their former representation intensified.
Without hesitation, Tyree Learning Center workers signed union authorization cards to let their employer know they were done with their de facto union and wanted true representation at their worksite.
Now that our new union members have their new contract, they are happy to have gained benefits while establishing a framework for future negotiations.
“So many of us have worked at Tyree for so long that we’re used to being kept small, having no voice, and getting nothing other than what our measly salary was,” said DiPietro. “Now, we have opportunity for growth with longevity being factored into our contract.”
Organizing committee members admit to being quiet when they first began organizing, but as time went on, they grew into their power.
“I learned not to be intimidated by management, powerful union busters, law firms, or anyone else,” said DiPietro. “It doesn’t matter who’s sitting at the table. You have a voice that’s equal to theirs, and you’re allowed to speak your mind.”
“I’m a stronger person now,” said CSEA Tyree Learning Center Local Organizing Committee Member Debbie Ali. “When you work together as a team and have a positive attitude, things will get better.”
Committee members also note that an initial “no” doesn’t necessarily mean the conversation is over because, “there’s always room for conversation, and with a little push things can get done.”
Others have a greater appreciation for their colleagues and the way they came together for a collective result.
“We realized that we were all in the same fight and we needed to make the time to meet to become stronger,” said Layne. “Organizing became a way for us to connect with each other in a way we never had before.”
Before Tyree workers paid a dime in dues money, CSEA was already on the ground, putting in work to help our new Tyree members organize, an action that spoke volumes to the workers.
“I would advise anyone to take a chance on an organization that’s willing to take a chance on you,” said DiPietro.
— Wendi Bowie