Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 955 Public Employees Field Representative Andrew Hutchinson joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed why paid time off is quickly eclipsing wages as a critical bargaining issue during contract negotiations.
Local 955 represents workers in Missouri.
One of the Local’s biggest employers is the University of Missouri, which recently instituted sweeping changes when it came to paid time off, Hutchinson said. Newer contracts combined vacation, sick time and personal leave under a single umbrella of paid time off, he said. Hutchinson explained how the changes prioritized paid time off as a critical negotiation tool and that paid family leave proved to be essential, especially for young parents.
Hutchinson also talked about how COVID impacted the Local and encouraged more workers to join the Union.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics: