Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for the Communication Workers of America (CWA) District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss efforts by workers at Maximus to organize with the CWA to improve healthcare benefits and pay.
Maximus employees work in a call center and enroll people in healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Despite helping people obtain health insurance, Maximus offers their employees expensive, subpar medical insurance. Workers pay a $4,500 deductible and high premiums, which is why they are seeking to unionize under the CWA. Mathews said each of the Maximus call centers are at different stages in the organizing effort, as CWA leaders are collaborating with workers to call for union elections at each location.
He also talked about the recently passed infrastructure bill and the $65 billion slated for broadband internet improvements, which will be great for rural and other overlooked communities. The bill includes language stipulating the work will be performed by union labor, which is not only good for union families, but should result in quality work that stays on budget and is completed on time, Mathews added.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.