After a full year of negotiations and a hard-hitting community campaign, which included leafleting, picketing, meeting with state legislators and appearing on a local radio station, UNAP, Local 5050 won its first contract. As a result, employees now have a real grievance procedure with arbitration, more job security, more secure wages, some modest relief when it comes to out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drug coverage, and more money for training and professional development. The Local also protected other significant benefits including paid leave and leave of absence benefits.

Despite negotiating since last October, UNAP Local 5050 and Youth Services Inc. remain far apart in negotiations for a first contract due to management’s lack of respect for employee concerns.

For example, management insists on having absolute authority to change employee wages and benefit plans, as well as to layoff, suspend, discharge, transfer, or change employees’ work schedules without restriction.  They also refuse to promote from within, refuse to submit unresolved grievances to arbitration, and refuse to negotiate specific pay increases.
 
The Local has launched a public relations campaign for a fair contract, which includes leafleting, picketing, paid advertising, and speaking with elected officials, donors and others.