TruStage employees belonging to OPEIU Local 39 held a march and rally in downtown Madison on Saturday, marking 485 days since over 450 company employees have had a contract in place, Channel3000 reports.
Union members and supporters gathered on State Street and marched to the Capitol to rally. Activist street band the Forward! Marching Band accompanied the group. Rally speakers included TruStage workers and their families, State Sen. Melissa Agard, Congressional Rep. Mark Pocan, and representatives from local community organizations.
The union, representing over 3,000 people in and around Madison, continues to advocate for job security, fair compensation, diversity and inclusion, and access to quality and affordable health care. It is also fighting retirement benefit cuts and has been bargaining a contract with TruStage since January 2022.
Union organizers have said another strike could occur if negotiations continue to go poorly. TruStage representatives have said the company is cooperating with the National Labor Relations Board’s ongoing investigations and has seen progress in recent weeks.
