Dear Greenfield Community and beyond,
Last July 22-24, employees at Clinical & Support Options, a local mental health agency, went on strike in five locations across Western Massachusetts. The strike was part of a process of yearlong contract negotiations between the company and employees represented by SEIU 509. Our contract was finally settled in November of 2015. The strike and negotiation process did not bring us the changes in the contract we were hoping for, but we felt at the time, due to multiple factors, it was strategically best to settle our contract with CSO. While we did not accomplish our hoped for goals in negotiations, we did strengthen our faith in the power of standing up for values we believe in, and it grew our union participation immensely. Many months later, after some recuperation and regrouping, we wanted to write a long overdue letter of gratitude to the local community who stepped up for us in so many ways.
We would like to thank the many, many who supported us, including: The representatives from various local unions who stopped by to walk with us and give rousing speeches during our pickets and rallies; Our colleagues in medical and mental health services up and down the valley, who blanketed the media with letters on our behalf; Our neighbors, friends and family members, who walked with us, and encouraged us in multiple ways including dropping off water, doughnuts and other goodies during our strike; Our neighbors on Chapman and Arch Streets who had to put up with three days of megaphone speeches, chanting and union songs, and honking from supportive passers-by (thanks!); to local police who were kind and respectful; to our friends at Greenfield’s Market for meeting space — and undoubtedly others as well.
The union is stronger than ever, and your support will not soon be forgotten.
Madeline Liebling
Leslie Lauf
Phil Wilson
Montana McKim
Shannon Gamble
and 17 other CSO/barganing unit mental health workers