Madison, WI – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has determined that TruStage, formerly CUNA Mutual Group, has violated federal labor law on at least two counts. The NLRB notified both TruStage and the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39, the Union representing more than 450 workers at TruStage, of their findings on Wednesday, July 12th.
The NLRB found merit in OPEIU 39’s Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges that TruStage unlawfully withheld information it was required to provide the Union in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. Chief Steward Joe Evica noted in a message to union members, “The Employer purposefully obstructed and violated our contract, before and during contract negotiations, and have done so knowing that they violated the law.”
OPEIU 39 President Kathryn Bartlett-Mulvihill explained, “TruStage has been hiding their employment practices from the Union because they know they’re prohibited. They are required to provide information to the Union whether the Union is performing maintenance of contract reviews or for suspected contract violations. In our negotiations, they have withheld information we have a right to for the purposes of bargaining a fair contract and to ensure our members are not harmed while bargaining a new contract.” The NLRB has ordered that TruStage must provide requested information to the Union immediately.
Determinations have only been made on charges filed in February. The Union has filed at least nine additional Unfair Labor Practice charges that are awaiting decision by the NLRB, including bad faith bargaining; retaliation against union members; illegal surveillance; withholding information; and termination of the Union’s Chief Steward. Sarah Larsen, a member of the Union’s bargaining committee, said, “This ruling shows TruStage’s willingness to undermine its own mission of ‘people helping people’ and ‘doing the right thing’ in order to bust our union and avoid its duty to settle a fair contract.”
Negotiations between TruStage and OPEIU 39 are ongoing. The Union will be organizing a march and rally on Saturday, July 29th from 9am to 11am as it continues to fight for a fair contract. Information on the event can be found at: https://fb.me/e/2NlHhwNef
