UCAN Workers Win a Union
Nearly 200 employees at UCAN, a youth services agency in Chicago, won their union election when the ballots were tallied on March 20 after an intensive anti-union campaign waged by their employer. They fought for a better future for themselves and for the youth they serve everyday – and they won.
“Congratulations to the newest members of our union on their hard-fought victory,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch. “While seeking to form a union, UCAN employees were met with fierce resistance from their employer, but they refused to quit until they won the right to a voice on the job. Welcome to AFSCME!”
UCAN employees started talking about forming a union many months ago. The workers knew that the problems they faced on the job were not sustainable if UCAN wanted a high-quality, dedicated workforce and positive outcomes for the at-risk youth they sought to help. So the workers decided to reach out to AFSCME.