Columbus Dispatch USA TODAY NETWORK
Local Habitat for Humanity ReStore workers are unionizing over pay cuts and short-staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what they say is poor management.
The 24 members in the unit are organizing with the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United, a union with about 4,000 members in Ohio and affiliated with the Service Employees International Union.
The local members work at Habitat’s three central Ohio ReStore locations – on Bethel, Westerville and Wilson roads – plus at Habitat’s warehouse, and in construction.
Leah Brudno, a community engagement manager at the 3140 Westerville Road ReStore, said workers have faced 2%-3% pay cuts during the pandemic. She said it is hard to keep stores staffed when places such as Amazon and UPS are offering more pay,
“We’re very short-staffed in the store. It’s been that way for months now,” Brudno said.
Ember Vogel, who works at the 240 N. Wilson Road ReStore on the West Side, said she is now making $14.99 an hour after the pay cuts, while working 36-40 hours a week.
“It’s not about money grabbing,” said Vogel, who said employees have been discussing organizing for four to five months. “We’re all dedicated to our mission. We need a strong robust type of workplace, workers treated with dignity and respect.”
According to the union, the wages of some hourly Habitat Mid-Ohio workers are low enough that they would qualify for one of the charity’s mortgages.
Workers are asking that Habitat voluntarily recognize the union.
E.J. Thomas, the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio, had no comment Monday but said he would respond to the workers and union later this week.
Columbus City Councilman Rob Dorans supports the effort. He wrote Thomas on Oct. 23 urging him to recognize the bargaining unit, mentioning that the city has provided Habitat with nearly $5 million in funding over the past five years.
Dorans is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and is chief legal counsel for the Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation of Ohio.
“COVID has created a lot of safety issues across a lot of industries,” Do-rans said.
“This makes sure their concerns around safety are brought to management in an appropriate way.
“As a union member myself, a third-generation union member, this has been personally my experience: When folks have a meaningful voice in the workplace, it’s a better workplace.” mferench@dispatch.com
@MarkFerenchik