Puerto Rican Telephone Workers Vote to Affiliate with OPEIU

USA - English

• Latin America - español

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO announces the affiliation of the Independent Union of Telephone Workers (UIET), a 2,000 employee bargaining unit employed by Claro Puerto Rico telephone company.  The new group will be known as OPEIU Local Union 1971.

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"The 10 to 1 vote to affiliate demonstrates real confidence in OPEIU and its ability to strengthen the voice of these workers in collective bargaining," said OPEIU International President Michael Goodwin.  "This affiliation is based on UIET and OPEIU's common goal of improving the compensation and working conditions of members.

"UIET came to OPEIU following the company's imposition of terms and conditions that eliminated the union security and dues check-off provisions," Goodwin continued.  "OPEIU will now help UIET reach an agreement with the company that would include restoration of both provisions for all 2,000 employees."

UIET will continue to exist as an autonomous labor organization, administrating its own business, but will be assisted by OPEIU in building the organization through organizing, collective bargaining, and legislative and public relations support. 

The new members will also be entitled to the OPEIU Membership Benefit Program, including scholarship eligibility and the AFL-CIO's Union Plus benefits.

"OPEIU has been a leader in the use of membership benefits to organize new members, and these benefits were a big part of what attracted UIET to affiliate," said Goodwin.  "Many unions provide some membership benefits, but OPEIU initiated the idea of providing numerous benefits as a loyalty membership award and as a means to attract new members.  It's proving to be an extremely valuable tool in these organizing efforts."

ABOUT OPEIU
The Office and Professional Employees International Union represents more than 105,000 members in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. OPEIU represents employees and independent contractors in banking and credit unions, insurance, higher education, shipping, hospitals, medical clinics, utilities, transportation, hotels, administrative offices and more.

Professional organizations and Guilds affiliated with OPEIU are a diverse group that includes nurses, pharmacists, insurance agents, appraisers, podiatrists, clinical social workers, minor league baseball umpires, teachers and helicopter pilots.

SOURCE Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU)