Do you know how UHP (University Health Professionals) came about? UHP is your union. We are a local (sort of like a subset) of AFT CT (the state federation of the American Federation of Teachers).
So let’s do the math: We are 3,400+ members of the 30,000+ members of AFT CT, and of the 1,000,000+ members of the AFT. How did that happen?
In 1975 the state legislature passed a law letting state employees collectively bargain. That was a great victory! It came with the caveat that state employees would not be able to strike. This is your first lesson in the harsh reality of bargaining. Bargaining usually means both sides gain and both sides lose. The goal is to gain without massive losses (the American dream).
In 1978 a group of professional employees at UConn Health met and decided to try and form a union at our health center. When you form a union, most groups decide which large union they want to be affiliated with. AFT, AFSCME, and SEIU (1199) all were interested in being the union here at UConn Health. After a long and bitter battle, AFT and AFSCME got the most votes, over 1199 and no union. Hence, a runoff election was held and AFT narrowly prevailed. This resulted in UHP becoming the very first health care union in AFT!
Nothing has been given to us as a union. Everything you read in our contract we fought for and we have struggled to maintain. That is why we need you all to step up and keep fighting.
—In Solidarity, Jean Morningstar, Chief Steward