For Immediate Release:

July 10th, 2024

Oakdale, MN

ROVE PEST CONTROL WORKERS AUTHORIZE STRIKE AND PLAN RALLY FOR JULY 18TH

On June 20th members of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7250 voted unanimously to authorize a strike if bargaining fails at Rove Pest Control company. While negotiations continue, and tentative agreements have been reached on a number of subjects, the top issues remain unresolved.

“It’s been one step forward – and two pay steps backwards, per the company’s proposals”, said Zach Sager, one of the call center employees. “Rove needs to get serious – or we’ll strike.”

Workers at the East Metro extermination company’s call center voted overwhelmingly to unionize with CWA Local 7250 back on September 15th 2023. The main issues that fueled the union drive were low wages, poor benefits, no funeral/bereavement time, and management’s disrespectful attitude towards hourly workers.

“Six months is too long to be negotiating for paid breaks, regular raises, accountable management, and union representation. This is starting to really bug me”, quipped Rove worker Greg Bute. “We need to get this pest under control.”

After more than 6 months of bargaining, the union workers at Rove believe it’s time to turn up the heat. Along with the strike authorization vote, CWA Local 7250 has announced a rally for Thursday, July 18th 2024 at 4:30pm at The Oaks Business Park at Rove Pest Control 7800 3rd St N # 1000, Oakdale, MN 55128. Members of CWA will be joined by members and leaders from the labor movement and elected officials from the region.

Senior Rove employee, Bruce Nielsen was blunt, “If these talks haven’t moved the action – maybe some action will move the talks”.

CWA Local 7250 Vice President Michelle Richardson, who oversaw the strike authorization vote, affirmed the union’s commitment to winning a fair contract, “As always, we will do whatever it takes.”

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Contact:

CWA Local 7250

President Kieran F. Knutson

612-516-7335

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

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Union Solidarity with Palestine Zoom Event - July 11th

On Thursday, July 11th 7:00pm Central CWA Local 7250 will host a Zoom event on Labor solidarity with the workers in Palestine.

Register here: https://bit.ly/7250forPal

Speakers will include:
- CWA Technicians from NYC
- CWA Campus Workers from AZ
- MNA Union Nurse from MN

As the genocidal war against the people of Palestine continues into its 9th month, with more than 40 thousand killed - the majority woman and children -  and hospitals, schools, houising and other infrastructure across Gaza obliterated, US politicians on both sides of the aisle continue to only enable and excuse the massacre.

What can union members here in the United States do to give solidarity to the working class Palestinians of Gaza? How can we help stop the war and support peace and justice for the Palestinans? 

This event is open to interested Union members from across the country

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Rove Pest Control Bargaining Report #29

July 1, 2024

 

Picture for a moment a world of opposites. Day is night and shadows shine brightly while the sun casts darkness. Warmth comes from the icy touch of snow, and fire cools with its gentle, soothing flames. Silence roars, drowning out the whispers of thunder, and laughter brings tears of sorrow. Gravity repels, causing objects to float gently into the air, and time flows backward, with memories forming before experiences.

Well something must be wrong for it seems in a world of opposites, we share commonalities. One of those being a world where yearly pay has the potential to reflect its opposite world counterpart. That's right – a world where your reward is a decrease in pay.

Depending on yearly performance, it may be determined ( based on factors not yet known ) that a pay rate be adjusted to a lower rate. While no other known position at the company would be eligible for such a change, they feel such a groundbreaking policy would meet the company’s goals.

Rove continues to be blind to the growth potential that comes from a committed union workforce who are willing to commit themselves and the well being of their families to the success of Rove and even if they are able to maintain production values indefinably with the ever looming threat of being demoted the gains will degrade over time in the face of inflation making it almost certain that your best days at Rove are always behind you.

In closing, the company's proposal represents a significant step backward, with yearly decreases in pay and a bewildering array of beetle-named job titles that only add to the confusion. From the Stag Beetle to the Dung Beetle, each worker faces not only a loss of dignity but a relentless erosion of their wages. This regressive approach undermines our commitment to fair and equitable treatment. We stand united against such unjust practices, determined to secure a future where our hard work is rightfully recognized and rewarded.

 

CWA Bargaining Team
Bruce, Greg, Zach, Hector & Shari

 

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Rove Pest Control Bargaining Report #27

June 20th 2024

First, after months of talk, Rove finally hired a new employee in Oakdale, MN. Welcome Traci, to our CWA family.

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH TO ALL OUR MEMBERS!!

Kinda of a drag!!! That is what it has felt like since we recognized 6 months of bargaining on June 6.

But when we do the math, that's only around 84 hrs. of time bargaining with Rove. Since our last report we have met with the company 6 times. Less than 12 additional hours spent in meaningful bargaining.
 
We rejected the company's counter to our card check neutrality proposal; they offered the current NLRB rules, which is how the workers originally organized. MEH.

The same company that does not believe in bereavement also cannot understand the concept of paid breaks!!

We advised the company that, at this point, we only have reached a tentative agreement on 25% of the proposals introduced.

The company's response is to be obsessed with their proposal restricting union leaders from appearing on the company premise - And introducing a dress code that seems heavily weighted against women. MEH.
 
Our answer is that the Rove workers have decided to hold a strike authorization vote open to all Rove call center workers in Oakdale who have signed CWA membership cards.

The strike vote will be this Thursday, 6/20/24, in the conference room, times are coming soon.

Respectfully submitted,
CWA 7250 Bargaining team at Rove

Co-Chairs: Bruce Nielsen & Shari Wojtowicz
Members: Greg Bute, Hector Capote
Alternate: Zach Sager

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