Frequently Asked Questions
Please feel free to email us with any questions so we can keep this page (and you) updated!
Union Basics
What is a union?
A union is when workers join together and use their collective strength to have a voice in their workplace that cannot be ignored. Through their union, workers have the ability to negotiate from a position of strength with employers over working conditions, which can include wages, benefits, workplace health and safety, job training, and other work-related issues. Workers can create their own new union or join an already established union and form a chapter within them. We decided to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the country.
Why 1199SEIU?
We chose to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East because they are a member-driven union, they share social justice values, fight for healthcare workers, and have a strong record of winning protections and benefits for workers across the east coast. They bring both experience and resources to our partnership, including legal representation, organizers, and political and media support.
Who is "the union"?
The union is us — the PPFA employees, the members! We decide what goes in our contract and what actions we take together.
What are union dues?
Dues pay for the union to exist, and to help us and all 1199SEIU members fight for better working conditions. 1199SEIU does not receive federal funding, or take money from employers. Dues are not and cannot be used for political activities.
What do dues pay for?
Dues pay for the costs associated with improving our wages, benefits, job security and working conditions, including:
Experts that help bargain strong contracts.
Growing our membership to increase our strength and protect our future.
Our infrastructure: communications, research, legal, office, and meeting space.
Representation to protect our rights at work.
¿Qué se paga con las cuotas sindicales?
Las cuotas pagan los gastos relacionados con mejorar salarios, beneficios, seguridad de trabajo y condiciones en el trabajo, incluyendo:
Expertos que ayudan a negociar buenos contratos.
Aumentar nuestra membresía para incrementar nuestra fuerza y proteger nuestro futuro.
Nuestra infraestructura: Comunicaciones, investigación, legal, oficinas y espacio para juntas.
Representación para proteger nuestros derechos en el trabajo.
How much are union dues?
Dues are 2% of base pay, up to a maximum of $125/month:
Dues are 2% of gross monthly wages, excluding overtime.
Monthly minimum is $20 and monthly maximum is $125 each month.
Only workers who join after we vote to approve our first contract pay an initiation fee.
We do not start paying dues until we have voted to approve a contract.
¿Cual es el monto de la cuota sindical?
La cuota es el 2% del ingreso mensual, excluyendo tiempo extra.
El mínimo mensual es de $20. El máximo mensual es de $100 para trabajadores que ganan menos de $90,000 por año y $125 para trabajadores que ganan $90,000 por año o más.
Solo los trabajadores que se afilian después de que votamos aprobar el primer contrato pagaran una cuota de inicio.
Nosotros comenzamos a pagar cuotas hasta después de que hemos votado aprobar un contrato.
Our 2023-2025 Contract
Can I see our full contract?
Yes! Please contact us and we can send you the full contract.
What's in our contract?
Some quick wins from our first contract include:
Guaranteed 4-6% annual increase
Minimum hiring salary of $55K
Eligible for Family and Medical Leave Plan (FMLP) after 6 months of employment
12 weeks FMLP paid by PPFA and guaranteed paid up to 16 weeks if insufficient PTO
Wellness days that can be taken without question; granted 5 days upon hire and 3 days annually, plus 1/month
Clear and fair telecommuting policy, and opportunity to submit grievances if needed
Clearly defined flexible work policy, and opportunity to submit grievance if needed
Hybrid model: 2 days in office and 3 remote days for office-based workers
Weingarten Rights: the right to request representation during an investigatory interview
Must have cause to fire a union member
Guaranteed severance policy
When does our contract expire?
Our current contract is effective from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025.
Membership
Am I in the union?
Union membership is tied to your job title and office of employment; it should be listed in your SuccessFactors profile. If you become a people manager, you will lose your union eligibility. There are other situations in which you may no longer be eligible as well. If you have any questions regarding your union status please contact us.
Our Union
How did the PPFA union get started?
PPFA staff (non-managers) began coming together in 2019. By 2020, the pandemic was in full swing and, PPFA cut employee 401k benefits, froze promotions for a full year, and did not give us cost of living increases — without a union we had no say in any of these decisions. Support for the union grew which led to us seeking voluntary recognition of our union and PPFA agreed to recognize us as such on April 19, 2021 (press announcement). Before our unionization, the PPFA offices in Miami and DC each voted to unionize. They retain their separate unions.
Timeline
Late 2019: Union organizing efforts began.
December 2020: After having majority support, we asked PPFA to voluntarily recognize our decision to unionize with 1199SEIU.
April 2021: Voluntary card count and recognition formally recognized by PPFA, bargaining unit member guidelines originally established.
July 2021: Contract negotiations between 1199SEIU and PPFA began.
November 2022: After 31 bargaining sessions, we reached agreement on our first CBA.
February 2022: Memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between PPFA and 1199SEIU further clarifying who is in the bargaining unit and agreeing to a COLA (cost of living adjustment) for 2022 in the interim of bargaining.
Where are we now, and what’s next?
In February 2022, we officially ratified our first contract! Now, we're looking for members who are interested in being delegates or members of our union committees to help us continue to hold management accountable and keep our union strong. Sound like something you might be interested in? Reach out to our union email!
Can I talk about the union at work?
Yes, absolutely!
All bargaining unit members of the 1199 Planned Parenthood union are allowed to speak about the union while at work. As explained by 1199's team of workers' rights experts, you can discuss and mention the union insofar as it does not affect your daily work tasks.
In the same way you may talk to a colleague about an upcoming meeting, the weather, or weekend activities, you can also include talking about the union.
Can I use my work email signature to display my union pride?
Yes! Update your email signature to show your union solidarity, with the phrase: "Proud 1199SEIU Union Member"
If you happen to be messaging donors, having just the above line in your signature is enough. :)
See our email signature example for ideas of your own:
Click here to grab the image link for the 1199SEIU logo! (public view)
Can I get in trouble for showing my union pride?
Please know that these are safe and low-stake actions that we can take together as a bargaining unit. None of these actions (e.g., using a "Proud 1199SEIU Union Member" email signature, #IStandWithPPWorkers virtual backgrounds) are punishable by management.
As union members, we are not At-Will employees and have protections in these acts of solidarity, such as the
National Labor Relations Act (NLRA): “Section 8(a)(3) prohibits an employer from discriminating against any worker because of union activity.”