In 2006, after three years of organizing, the United Staff of Columbia College won the right to form a Union. The battle to unionize was a long-drawn-out struggle with the college administration. It took a decision by the National Labor Relations Board to protect our right to unionize. The initial desire to unionize was to protect the staff’s retirement program. Without consent or negotiations, the college froze the existing plan and significantly restructured the program. As the administration’s governance became more corporate, the staff realized they needed to have a voice to protect their rights. A union allows staff to contractually protect their rights and ensure their benefits. With the union, the staff can negotiate overcompensation, health care, grievance procedures, job security, working conditions, overtime, and have a voice regarding many college policies and hiring committees.
United Staff of Columbia College 