There's Something About Mary Johnson

[image:18 align=right]From the Republican Newspaper

Tuesday, November 15, 2005
By MARY ELLEN LOWNEY
mlowney@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD - Two dozen labor supporters turned out yesterday to protest what they consider the YWCA's refusal to recognize a new union of workers.

The protest, which took place in the late afternoon at Sumner Avenue and Burnside Terrace, attracted a series of horn blasts and shouts of support during rush hour just blocks from the nonprofit agency's new shelter center on Clough Street.

"The contract wasn't all that we would have wanted, but it was a start. I think it should have been signed," said Arthur J. Franz, a teacher at the agency's Youth Build program on Orleans Street.

But YWCA Executive Director Mary R. Johnson said the majority of union members signed a statement to her this summer saying they no longer want to be represented by the United Auto Workers Local 2322.

"When they said they wanted the union, we felt we had to listen. Now they're saying they don't want to be a part of the union, and we feel we have to listen," said Johnson.

The case is headed for a trial before the National Labor Relations Board in Boston on Nov. 30.

In October 2003, YWCA workers voted by a 2-1 margin, or 37-17, that they wanted to form a union through the local UAW. Negotiations resulted in a tentative, two-year contract that was approved in May.

The contract established hourly salaries ranging from $11 to $19.48 for the union, whose members would include case managers, outreach workers, trainers, teachers, project managers and a cook. The contract also set up a grievance and arbitration process.

But Johnson has refused to sign it.

Yesterday, she said she had a letter signed by "far more than" 30 of the 60 employees who would be in the union, saying they no longer want to be represented by UAW.

"It's an interesting predicament. We've been told by our lawyers it would be illegal to continue to recognize and deal with the union," she said.

UAW local President Ronald R. Patenaude said the union has been unable to get any information from Johnson about the employees, who he believes are legally entitled to union representation.

"It's been a struggle with them. They don't want the union there, and Mary Reardon Johnson has made that absolutely clear," Patenaude said.

Besides several YWCA employees, the protest drew support from several area unions.

Richard M. Brown, president of the Pioneer Valley Labor Council, said he hopes Johnson gets the message the unions are sending.

"When you are a pillar of the community as Mary Johnson is, the responsible thing to do is to set a good example and treat your workers fairly," Brown said. "I would have expected a higher ethical standard."