CUNA Mutual Group Labor Union Members Vote to Authorize a Strike

Union members who work at CUNA Mutual Group have voted to authorize a strike on or before May 19 if a new labor agreement is not reached. But the Madison, Wis.-based company, which provides investment and insurance products to thousands of credit unions across the nation, said it hopes to avert a strike after both sides agreed to negotiate through a federal mediator.

More than 450 CUNA Mutual employees who are members of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39 voted on April 19 to authorize a strike within 30 days if no labor agreement is reached.

The union held an hour-long press conference on Monday to formally announce the results of the vote and to rally for their cause to secure a new labor agreement, claiming CUNA Mutual has not been bargaining in good faith. Eighty-seven percent of the membership voted and 92% cast their vote in favor of a strike, according to union officials. More than 3,700 CUNA Mutual employees are not members of the union.

OPEIU 39 and CUNA Mutual began bargaining talks in February 2022 before the union’s contract expired on March 31 this year.

Labor negotiations have stalled over compensation/pay equity, health insurance, pension plans/retirement security, job security and remote work flexibility.

“CUNA Mutual Group remains steadfast in our commitment to reaching a collective bargaining agreement with OPEIU Local 39. We respect the decision of our employees to authorize a strike, and we are determined to reach a fair and market-competitive agreement that meets the needs of our employees, our customers and company,” Barclay Pollak, a CUNA Mutual spokesperson, said. “We recognize this situation may present questions to our customers, business partners and community. However, we have business resiliency plans in place to ensure uninterrupted service to our customers while we continue negotiations with the Union.”

CUNA Mutual said it shared its most recent proposal with OPEIU Local 39 more than 60 days ago on Feb. 16 and awaits a counterproposal.

However, Pollak said CUNA Mutual has offered the union a proposal to engage the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, virtual meetings and paid time for negotiations during work hours.

“We have had an 80-year-long relationship with this union. CUNA Mutual Group voluntarily recognized the union in the 1940s,” he said. “The union has been part of our history and will be part of our future. CUNA Mutual Group will continue to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement.”

An OPEIU 39 spokesperson said the union welcomes the federal mediation proposal but added CUNA Mutual has presented some restrictions, so details are still being discussed.

“The Union’s intent is to meet, bargain and hopefully reach an agreement before a strike is called,” the spokesperson said. “We expect to meet and bargain, though that is dependent on the employer.”

However, union members are angry with CUNA Mutual after officials fired OPEIU 39 Chief Steward Joe Evica, who was a retirement services specialist. The union has claimed that Evica was unjustly fired, claiming the company retaliated against him. He has filed charges of illegal retaliation with the National Labor Relations Board.

“Mr. Evica is no longer employed by CUNA Mutual Group. His employment was terminated following an interview with him in the presence of union representation and a computer forensic audit that was conducted by a third-party firm,” Pollak said.  “The investigation confirmed that Mr. Evica violated workplace rules regarding data privacy and information handling as stated in the labor agreement. We expect every employee, regardless of position, to abide by workplace rules, our code of conduct and policies.”

According to the union, Evica was accused of inappropriately using CMG’s internal information to obtain email addresses of credit union leaders. In January, the union sent a letter to more than 7,000 credit union leaders across the United States warning that there could be a potential disruption of financial services with CUNA Mutual Group due to a labor dispute.

However, the union said it informed CUNA Mutual that it purchased the email address list through a third-party marketing company and has the invoice to prove it.