Preble Street Workers Vote on Groundbreaking Agreement to Improve Racial Equity, Wages & Workplace Protections
Members of Preble Street United (Maine Service Employees Association — SEIU 1989) — a union representing 150 staff at Preble Street locations in Portland, Lewiston and Bangor — are expected to ratify a transformative two-year contract proposal that would improve racial equity, boost wages and provide several new workplace protections and benefits. Preble Street employees — who provide a range of low-barrier services for low-income people, veterans and people experiencing homelessness — began voting on the tentative agreement Tuesday evening and will finish on Friday.
“Having sat on the bargaining committee both this year and our very first one two years ago, I am proud of the strength of our solidarity and the gains we've collectively made this year in our contract,” said Dylan Monahan, a Health Services Caseworker and member of the Preble Street United bargaining team. “I am proud to report to my peers we won movement on every proposal we brought to the table, from provisions around further developing our wage scale to provisions around equity and inclusion and more. We look forward to testing new contract language in the coming two years and continuing to build our union here at Preble Street.”
If approved, this groundbreaking contract will make Preble Street a leader in Maine for promoting and strengthening racial equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The union’s bargaining team and Preble Street management agreed to the following items that will improve staffing recruitment and retention, support immigrants and workers of color and create a much safer environment for both clients and employees alike:
The right to paid interpreters during disciplinary and investigatory meetings for employees who don’t speak English as a first language
Additional compensation for staff who use their multilingual skills with clients and staff leads who use another language to communicate with bilingual teams.
The right for employees to serve on every committee or council that deals with racial equity, diversity and inclusion for the life of the contract.
A more inclusive bereavement policy to accommodate different cultural traditions and relationships. Employees will be eligible for bereavement leave not only for blood relatives, but also for any relationship that is similar to the bond of kinship for the employee. Employees will be allowed to have a day of mourning, as well as additional days for overseas travel and other days of mourning, depending on their cultural traditions.
Enforceable guidelines on addressing hate speech in the workplace.Management will now be required to act on reports of hate speech used by clients against staff within 48 hours and report back to the aggrieved employee about steps the employer is taking to address the incident, not only to support staff, but also to educate and establish expectations with clients regarding Preble Street’s non-discrimination policies.
The right of workers to take paid time off or leave work early if they experience a traumatic incident at work and they need space to recover.
Seven additional steps on the wage scale. Pay increases upon ratification of between $3.50 and $5.50 an hour. Average raises will be roughly 17 to 21 percent over the life of the contract,
A wage floor of $18 per hour for all staff and a minimum $40,000 per year salary for all full-time employees.
The agreement also includes earned paid-time off for part-time employees, additional COVID-related leave time, the option of telework for eligible employees, additional language to improve training and orientation for new staff and staff performing new tasks and clear job descriptions for all employees.
Mike-Anthony Campbell, II, a caseworker in Preble Street’s Veterans Housing Services, said it’s been an eye-opening change of pace and culture being a Black gay male and a recent arrival to Maine in an environment that has not been exposed to much diversity. He said he is proud that Preble Street is “finally taking the necessary strides to prove such a commitment to minority equality and engagement” in the new contract.
“It is with great pleasure and admiration that I salute my organization and work home, as Preble Street sets the standards for exemplifying its personal commitment to become one with all cultures and diversities pronounced by its dynamic workforce,” said Campell. “On top of that, my organization has become the prototype for listening and learning from those whom they value the most, the heartbeat of social service. As one united force we continue to overcome all obstacles and achieve our mission ‘to provide accessible, barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems’, together.”
“This wage increase is something I am grateful for,” said Florence House caseworker Erin Keeley. “This will allow me to keep the job I absolutely adore at Florence House. Before this agreement was made, I had another job lined up. In fact, today (04/07/22) was supposed to be my last day with Preble Street. The agreement came right on time for me to retract my resignation. I am more than excited to remain right where I am. This agreement means I can now get my focus back to where it belongs, helping ladies better their lives.”
“I'm very proud of the union negotiating team for sticking through the process and getting a great win,” said Chelli Stanley, a Veterans Housing Services Caseworker. “The wage increase and racial equity wins will make the agency a much more enjoyable place to work for many people.”
Preble Street Workers United are using an open bargaining structure that allows workers to join negotiation meetings to ensure transparency and to secure an equitable and just contract. The majority of the staff have been participating in negotiations to support the bargaining team, including wearing t-shirts, writing statements and watching negotiations over Zoom.