As our membership numbers continue to climb, more and more agencies and worksites have majority union membership. The Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is one such agency. Kathy Scusa, a NCDHH Field Representative I in North Platte, is a strong advocate for union membership. Here’s what she had to say about union membership at her agency:
“The Commission is a very small agency, and I feel like what we do to advocate for people and teach them how to advocate for themselves is very important. It’s very easy for my colleagues and I to advocate for other people but it’s not always as easy to do so for ourselves,” she said. “That’s where our union comes in, it’s our tool to advocate for ourselves.”
“I feel very strongly that everybody should be a member. Our union does so much for not only us small agencies, but every employee in Nebraska to keep our conditions safe and our wages at a livable rate,” Kathy said. “Whenever somebody new starts, I carve out a minute during their first week to talk to them about becoming a member. And for those who aren’t supporters, I circle back every once in a while to make that ask again.”
It’s more important than ever for members to become active leaders in their workplace by encouraging their colleagues to join and get involved. Reaching majority membership is no small task, but it’s a worthwhile endeavor.
“It brings me a sense of comfort to know that if there’s an issue in our agency and if things are happening that are unjust or unfair, a majority of our employees have representation and know their rights as union members,” Kathy said. “Our union is here to represent us and support us, so by being members, we’re saying that we’re there to support all of our fellow workers across Nebraska.”
Will your worksite or agency be the next to reach majority membership? Encourage your colleagues to become members today!
