Merrimack Valley Human Service Workers Vote ‘Union Yes!’ at NuPath
In yet another victory for workers’ rights in the Bay State, a majority of direct care workers at Woburn-based NuPath, Inc. overwhelmingly voted ‘Union Yes!’ in their recent election. Marisa Turesky is a current JOIN Fellow and SEIU Local 509 Organizer who worked hard on this campaign. The win caps off Merrimack Valley service providers’ aggressive, months-long effort to secure better pay, safer working conditions and a greater voice in the workplace. With the December vote, more than 200 front-line service providers joined the Massachusetts Human Service Workers Union, SEIU Local 509 – marking the union’s second successful organizing drive in the Merrimack Valley in 2013.
With core facilities in Woburn and dozens of independent living locations in Andover, Billerica, Burlington, Lexington, Lincoln, Lynnfield, Medford, Reading, Tewksbury, Westford and Wilmington, NuPath, Inc. provides services to hundreds of individuals people living with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and acquired brain injuries. From day habilitative care to independent living support, human service workers at NuPath play a vital role in communities throughout the Merrimack Valley, yet many earn close to minimum wage and see limited opportunities for training or advancement. The conditions led workers to seek – and win – a greater voice in the workplace with SEIU Local 509.
“This is a major win for direct care staff at NuPath, who have worked tirelessly to secure the voice they deserve on the job,” said Susan Tousignant, president of the Massachusetts Human Service Workers Union, SEIU Local 509. “Human service workers at NuPath play a vital role in the community – meeting the needs of families throughout the Merrimack Valley. We are proud to welcome them to the Massachusetts Human Service Workers Union.”
The Massachusetts Union for Human Service Workers & Educators, SEIU Local 509, represents more than 17,000 workers throughout the commonwealth. SEIU 509 members provide a variety of educational and social services to at-risk children, elders and people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. Local 509 is part of the Service Employees International Union, the largest and fastest-growing labor union in the United States. For more information, visit www.seiu509.org.
