Addie Rodriguez

Employer: Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Job Title: Public Benefits Specialist 4 Lead Worker

How long have you been a union member?

I have been a union member for19 years.

Best part of being part of a union?

Union Membership Provides Strength in Numbers - All workers benefit from unions because unions set pay standards and workplace protections. Union members like you benefit most from the union's collective bargaining power to negotiate with the employer on your behalf. This basic right gives us as a union members more power when negotiating than if you tried individually. Unions also provide:

Higher wages/Greater Equality - Union employees make an average of 30% more than non-union workers. Pay in unionized workplaces is more equitable overall with relatively higher wages for lower paid workers and less of a wage gap for women. Unions are also recognized for significantly increasing equality overall.

Pensions/benefits - Over 70 per cent of union members have access to a workplace pension, compared to less than 30 percent of non-union workers. Union workers are also more likely to have guaranteed pensions than non-union employees. As well as 92% of union workers have job-related health coverage versus 68% of non-union workers.

Job security and tenure - Unionized workers are more likely to be full-time, permanent and work longer for their employers. Unions help protect employees from unjust dismissal through collective bargaining agreements (CBA).

Health and safety - Unionized workplaces tend to be safer and lower critical injury claims. Unionized workers are more likely to report health and safety violations and minor no-lost time injuries (due to training, awareness and/or less fear of reprisal), which makes workplaces safer overall.

Predictable hours/schedule - Union contracts set predictable schedules, standard hours of work, overtime and shift premiums

Advocacy and political action - Unions have paved the way in improving conditions for all workers, levelling the playing field so that non-union employers have to compete with union employers to attract workers. Union members also benefit from having the collective power to go on strike.

Why do you take an active role in your local?

I take an active role in my local because our local provides the opportunity for union members to affect change in our workplaces, communities and leaves a legacy for our children, families and new union members.