May 22, 2023
Madison, WI – The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39’s strike at TruStage (formerly CUNA Mutual Group) will enter its third day on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Hundreds of workers have held pickets from 7am to 6 pm each day in front of the company’s headquarters at 5810 Mineral Point Road, Madison, Wisconsin.
Approximately one hundred union workers outside of the Madison area have simultaneously held a virtual picket line as part of the work stoppage. Virtual picketers are performing a variety of tasks, including ordering food for the Madison picketers, hosting Twitch streams to discuss the importance of the Union’s positions with a wider audience, and running social media campaigns.
TruStage is holding its rebranding celebration events at the 5810 facility while the strike is in effect Monday and Tuesday (5/22 & 5/23). Picket lines have been erected at TruStage entrances. On Friday, May 19, construction workers performing demolition work refused to cross the OPEIU 39 line and left the worksite. Teamsters Local 344, a union representing workers at United Parcel Service (UPS), has informed the Union that its delivery drivers will not cross picket lines while the strike is in effect.
OPEIU 39’s bargaining committee has remained available to negotiate with TruStage’s representatives during the strike.
“The Union put forward 10 days for bargaining,” said Kathryn Bartlett-Mulvihill, President of OPEIU Local 39, “The employer is only willing to meet one day this week.” Three dates have been tentatively scheduled for bargaining: May 24, May 30, and May 31.
The Union has filed additional unfair labor practice charges (ULPs) with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for conduct by TruStage during the strike. These include:
- Barring access to employee 401(k) plans for striking workers
- Illegal surveillance of picketing strikers, including photographing and videotaping
- Coercion and direct dealing in order to solicit workers to cross the strike line and return to work
For additional information please contact:
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 