OSWEGO — Out-of-state groups have been harassing CSEA members across the state with constant emails and mailers in an effort to trick workers out of their union membership.
Our union is making sure these anti-worker groups don’t succeed.
Thompson
SUNY Oswego Local President Gary Thompson, equipped with tools and information from CSEA, has been able to fight back by educating his co-workers what these groups are really about and why they want to scam our union members.
“These groups are funded by corporate-backed billionaires,” said Thompson. “They’re jealous of everything we’ve fought for and what generations before us fought for like paid time off, vacations, health insurance, and our pensions.”
Thompson compared the groups’ marketing scheme to the likes of a car insurance commercial. The mailings claim, ‘opt-out today and save $600,’ which seems tempting – until you read the fine print.
“Our union is valued much more than our dues, with all of the benefits, resources and member savings,” said Thompson. “The value of being in a union is so much more than what they claim you’ll save.”
Gonzales
SUNY Oswego Local member Gabe Gonzales, a janitor, admitted the groups’ tactics were enticing, but said nothing can compare to the comfort of knowing our union has your back.
“It’s the security of knowing that I have someone behind me in case my employer does something I don’t agree with, and I can have someone there to speak for me,” said Gonzales. “I’m a union person. I’m sticking with CSEA no matter how hard these groups try to fight.”
Gonzales isn’t the only person sticking with their union. More than 70 percent of Americans approve of unions, which is the highest approval rate in over 50 years, according to Gallup poll findings.
Gonzales has a message for anti-union groups trying to scam union members.
“You will not break us up,” said Gonzales. “We’re too strong. We enjoy our union family, and we are here to stay.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
