JUST THE FACTS #1

QUESTION #1: What is Laborers Union Local 955?

MANAGEMENT ANSWER: Laborers Local 955 is a construction union based in Columbia,
Missouri. It represents construction, and public works employees in Boone, Cooper, Howard,
Audrain, Monroe, Chariton, Macon, Linn, Adair, Sullivan, Schuyler and Putnam counties. It does
not appear to represent ANY employees in the Kansas City metropolitan area. In addition, it
does not have ANY reported experience representing domestic violence shelters and
victim/survivor service providers or social workers or similar professional occupations. For more
information see: www.unionfacts.com/lu/liuna/955

RBC UNION STAFF REBUTTAL: LiUNA Local 955 is a chapter of the Laborers International
Union of North America. Yes, LiUNA does represent construction workers. They also represent
thousands of other types of workers. See this video here for more information. Additionally,
unionfacts.com is not necessarily a trustworthy source - see here & here.
Laborers (LiUNA) Local 955 is a union of workers fighting for better wages and working
conditions in Missouri. LiUNA Local 955 members work at the City of Centralia, City of
Columbia, Boone County Road & Bridge, University of Missouri - Columbia, University of
Missouri Kansas City, MU Healthcare, Truman State, City of Kirksville & MFA Feed Mills in
Mexico & Kirksville, and Wildcat Materials workers.LiUNA is also in the process of organizing
office staff at the City of Columbia in the Office of Sustainability and office staff & academic
workers. Additionally, the staff representative, Andrew Hutchinson, who is working with us has
experience working in public housing and has a Masters in Social Work from Washington
University in St. Louis.

QUESTION #2: If this union wins the workplace election, would it have any control over
my job and would I have to pay the union?
MANAGEMENT ANSWER: According to the law, if a union wins a workplace election, it
becomes the “exclusive” bargaining representative concerning ALL wages, benefits and terms
and conditions of employment for ALL employees in the voting unit. This would apply to every
employee eligible to vote in the election – whether or not the employee votes in the election and
even those employees who vote no. In addition, Missouri is NOT a right to work state. That
means every employee in the voting unit can legally be required to pay the union if it wins the
election. For example, if the union wins the election for Shelter Advocates, Coordinators, Case
Managers, and Navigators, then all employees in these positions can be required to pay union
dues of LiUNA Local 955. Therefore, it’s critical that all eligible employees exercise their right to
vote!

RBC UNION STAFF REBUTTAL: Yes, LiUNA is representing us. However, WE are the union.
We asked LiUNA to come and represent us because we are tired of feeling hurt, neglected,
disempowered, and overworked with little pay. We have noticed the massive turn over that RBC
has. We see our co-workers struggling with the unrealistic workload and job descriptions that
keep changing. We want what is best for our survivors, but that cannot be done when we are
tired and stretched out. LiUNA is not here to dictate what happens next. As the union, WE will

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discuss what we want in our workplace and we will not do anything that we have not already
discussed and agreed to as a group. In regard to the union dues, please refer to the answer in
Question 3.

QUESTION #3: How much would I have to pay?

MANAGEMENT ANSWER: According to their website, membership dues are $38 per month
per employee. In addition, Local 955 typically charges new members an “initiation fee” of $500 –
although this fee may be waived as part of an organizing drive to sign up new dues-paying
members. In addition, the International Union that Local 955 is part of can charge additional
monthly dues, special fees and assessments. Their constitution provides that they can charge
as much as $21.50 in monthly dues.

RBC UNION STAFF REBUTTAL: Yes, there are union dues. However, these union dues are on
a sliding scale based on your pay. We will have to agree to the union dues amount before we
start paying it. Union dues do not start until the contract is ratified – which means until a majority
of workers represented by the contract have voted YES to approve it. Would you approve a
contract where you would lose money? If not, then your raise should outpace any potential
union dues. LiUNA Local 955 members outside of the construction industry do not pay
initiation fees.