Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We just read the May 8 letter that Athena CEO Melissa Pappas sent to the staff that is set to vote on representation with Local 1994 tomorrow and we are outraged. I hope you are outraged too.
These attempts to intimidate you against voting for union representation are nothing short of ridiculous.
Your brothers and sisters at Athena Consulting voted for the union and are currently in negotiations. The company’s claims that we have not made a proposal on wages or benefits is misleading and that we’re forcing the members to pay dues for no reason is UNTRUE! Members do not pay dues until a contract has been fully negotiated and is in place.
The only wholly truthful statement in her letter is that “you owe it to yourself to make an informed decision on May 10.”
You do owe it to yourself and to your coworkers.
She wrote: "Union membership is on the decline.”
UNTRUE! In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership increased by 262,000 members last year. Why? Because companies like Athena try to take advantage of their workforce and fail to see you and your coworkers as anything more than “capital” that they can exploit rather than hardworking men and women who want to work an honest day for reasonable wages and benefits.
Ms. Pappas called you “gullible” in her letter, claiming that we are selling you false promises.
UNTRUE! We don’t think you are gullible. You are valuable and you deserve the type of compensation, rights, protections and respect other employees receive in the County.
She wrote: "Athena cannot promise you anything without violating the law.”
UNTRUE! In fact, Ms. Pappas promised your coworkers a bunch of things in a "contract" she sent out to Athena employees in early January including three additional days of administrative leave and wage enhancements. And then, after the employees still voted for the union, the company tried to rescind this offer until we filed charges and forced them to honor it.
She wrote: "As a result of contract negotiations, wages and benefits can go up, go down, or remain the same. Changes can vary from employee to employee."
UNTRUE! Contracts help stop cronyism and favoritism and bring parity to wages and benefits among the workforce. Contracts are your protection against unilateral changes to wages and benefits. Ms. Pappas knows this and wants to keep us out so she can keep all the control.
Ms. Pappas is desperately trying to beat us back because she knows that a united workforce can win positive changes at Athena. You have that choice tomorrow. We urge you to vote yes on Local 1994.
Questions?
Contact Alejandro (202) 341-3455 or me at (202) 207-5787.
In solidarity,
Ray Lee
Associate Coordinator of Organizing
Associate Coordinator of Organizing
