CUNA Mutual Group Union Edges Closer to Strike
Though a federal mediator is involved with negotiations, it does not appear both sides are any closer to reaching a new labor agreement.
The union that represents more than 450 employees at CUNA Mutual Group held a “strike-ready rally” at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison on Saturday despite the involvement of a federal mediator who may help both sides reach a new labor agreement and avert a strike.
Although a federal mediator has been engaged in the negotiations process since late April, the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39 claims CUNA Mutual is not bargaining in good faith. However, the company claims it remains hopeful a new labor agreement can be reached through mediation before the union’s May 19 deadline to call a strike. If a strike is called, it could affect many credit unions and other companies across the nation that use CUNA Mutual’s products and services.
“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 voice their opinions and we are determined to reach a fair and market-competitive agreement that meets the needs of our employees, our customers and company,” CUNA Mutual said in a statement Thursday. “CUNA Mutual Group has begun the mediation process with the union. We are hopeful that through mediation we can move negotiations forward and come to an agreement. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we look forward to coming to an agreement that will benefit our workforce soon.”
Both sides 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.
Although union members last month voted to authorize a strike on May 19 if a new labor agreement is not reached, both sides agreed to involve Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) to help negotiate a new labor contract.
FMCS Mediator Tom Olson met with the union and CUNA Mutual independently in late April to establish a path back to the bargaining table by selecting the dates, times, and methods of bargaining sessions to occur in-person or remotely, according to the union.
Both sides met for the first joint mediation session on May 3.
According to the union, Olson’s current availability over the next two weeks is limited to two days, but the mediator strongly recommended that both sides meet as frequently as possible, including outside of formal mediation meetings to avert a strike.
During the May 3 meeting, the union said it put forward 10 days to bargain between May 5th and May 18th and offered to meet virtually, during the workday with bargaining pay and on the evenings and weekends without bargaining pay for those 10 days.
“The Company rejected every day our Union put forward except May 10th and May 16th,” the union said in a prepared statement. “Even with the two dates the Employer accepted, they could not confirm times to meet with our Union because they said they needed to consult with people outside of the meeting to make decisions regarding bargaining pay reinstatement. CUNA Mutual Group’s representatives left the mediation session early without committing to meeting times on the two agreed upon dates, citing another important meeting they had to attend. The next mediation date is presently scheduled for May 10th, approximately nine days before a strike would have to occur.”
In an email to union members, OPEIU 39 Chief Steward Joe Evica called this “completely unacceptable.”
“We demand that the employer take their responsibility to bargain seriously. We demand they stop stalling and bargain in good faith to reach a fair agreement,” Evica wrote an email to union members.
In response to the union’s claims CUNA Mutual stated: “We’re surprised by the Union’s account of the meeting as we thought we had made progress in coming together. The Union has made its support of mediation loud and clear, and we’re committed to that process to get to an agreement. We’ve offered paid time during mediation, and we look forward to bringing proposals and ideas to the next session with FMCS to move the process forward. We have not declined any opportunities to mediate with the Union and have voiced that we are available for additional mediation sessions.”
OPEIU Local 39 said it has filed two additional Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against CUNA Mutual for allegedly reneging on bargaining dates and for allegedly failing to bargain with the employees’ representatives.
The union said it will continue to press CUNA Mutual to return to the bargaining table and reach an agreement to prevent a strike.