Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 members who work at Planned Parenthood of Michigan in Kalamazoo voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify their first contract.
Kalamazoo Health Center was the first Planned Parenthood site in west Michigan to organize when workers joined UFCW in June. The agreement, which covers 25 medical assistants and five registered nurses, includes wins such as higher wages, more paid time off, increases in bereavement leave, creation of a safety committee and more.
“The workers at Planned Parenthood—Kalamazoo Health Center wanted union representation to give them the guarantees and protections in the workplace they deserve,” said John Cakmakci, president of Local 951. “We are excited to represent the employees at Planned Parenthood of Michigan in Kalamazoo.”