The 34 members of AFSCME Local 1303-026, Southington Public Works/Water Pollution Control, are sticking with their union. One way they show their union pride is by wearing their Council 4 AFSCME Strong tee-shirts at work every Tuesday.
It’s a simple equation, according to bargaining unit President Eric Prinzorn, who is employed as a Driver. “I’ve seen it time and time again,” he said. “Your pay raises, your benefits – all that comes from being in a union. Without organized labor, you have nothing.”
Local 1303-26 members also appreciate their union because of contract language negotiated in their current collective bargaining agreement that provides continuous overtime after eight hours of work during a National Weather Service-named storm.
Previously, employees called in to work overtime during storms would be paid straight time starting at 7:00 a.m. The new language has made a big difference in simultaneously ensuring fair pay and and improving worker safety through staggered scheduling.
“Without being in a union and having collective bargaining, we wouldn’t have been able to get that,” Prinzhorn observed.
Knowing that employers are always looking to cut costs with cheap labor, and recognizing the union-busting intent behind the Janus v. AFSCME decision rendered by the Supreme Court, Local 1303-26 members are doubling down by signing their union membership recommitment cards.
“We have to stick together, especially in these tough times,” Prinzhorn said.
