'I Can Do This!': A Day as a Volunteer Member Organizer
By Jon Melegrito
Across America, AFSCME members are volunteering their time showing potential members the union way.
CLEVELAND, OHIO
When Local 100 (Council 8) Pres. Paul Garner asked her to make house calls, Sylvia Branch wasn't interested. Knocking on doors just didn't appeal to her. Too many strangers have shown up at her own door.
But this was different. "Paul told me I'd actually enjoy doing this because I love to talk and listen to people," she recalls. "He shared his own experiences door knocking in other cities. Then he related how child care providers were being mistreated and how eager they were to join a union. So, when he finally asked if I'd do the same thing, I said I'd try."
Sylvia is among hundreds of volunteer member organizers (VMOs) who are helping unrepresented workers join the union. They knock on doors, talk to workers directly, listen to their concerns and try to interest them in joining AFSCME.
Just two weeks later, Sylvia found herself in a union hall, along with nine other VMOs, learning the basics of house calling. The two-day training, conducted by Child Care Providers Together (CCPT)/AFSCME Council 8 — included role playing, one-on-one simulations and a couple of practice runs. VMOs were also briefed on what to expect when they visit child care providers, including: they may have lots of children running about or it may be nap time or they may not always be at home. These providers differ from other workers in that they operate out of their homes, caring for children up to 16 hours a day, sometimes seven days a week.
On the second day, each VMO teamed up with an experienced organizer to visit some of the 3,429 child care providers in Cuyahoga (Cleveland) County, trying to form a union for the first time. CCPT recently won a couple of victories in Ohio (see story on Page 14).
This is part of a vigorous campaign to organize family child care providers in several states, under the umbrellas of CCPT and the United Child Care Union (an AFSCME affiliate). AFSCME already represents more than 150,000 child care providers of all kinds — more than any other union.
This is an account of Sylvia's first-time foray as a VMO.
SATURDAY
9:40 AM
For today's house calls, Sylvia is teamed up with Angela Alexander, an AFSCME organ-izer who's done hundreds of house calls. Angela goes through a stack of papers, each one containing information about a child care provider in the area. "These are the people we'll see today," she explains. "After each visit, we need to write down everything we learn about them." She pulls out a city map. The two women agree that Angela will drive while Sylvia navigates.
10:30 AM
During the ride north, Sylvia talks about her 17 years working in the city's police department as a data conversion operator. She's served as a steward, and is now chapter chairwoman of the local's public safety division, representing about 300 members.
"Your being a union member is an advantage," Angela says. "All you have to do is talk about what it means to you. Just be yourself." But Sylvia fears that no one will open the door, let alone speak to her. "Treat them like they are your friend's sister or brother, and you'll be fine," Angela assures her.
10:50 AM
The first stop is actually a practice call at the home of Juanita, a provider who has already joined Child Care Providers Together. This is meant to build Sylvia's confidence. She goes through the basic steps — introduces herself, listens to Juanita talk about her concerns, explains what the union does, then gets her to sign the card that indicates her support for the union.
"I feel a little better," Sylvia says as she gets back in the car. Checking the map, she directs Angela to take 90-East.
11:17 AM
The partners pull up in front of 149 Pepper Street. "OK, let's roll," Angela says. They walk up the steps. Sylvia hits the doorbell. No one answers.
On the way to the third address, Angela misses a right turn to E. 154 Street. No problem, she says. "To be a good organizer, you need to know how to make a U-turn." She makes one and pulls up in front of Jacqueline's house. Again, no one's home. Sylvia is getting anxious.
12:25 PM
Driving along St. Claire Avenue, Sylvia tells Angela that they just passed by a street that was on their target list. "I know," comes the reply, "but I mapped our route a certain way so we won't waste time driving. But it's your call. Do the mapping however it makes sense to you." Sylvia decides to stick with Angela's way. They turn left and pull up in front of a duplex.
Someone — a young woman — answers the door. She's very welcoming, but the person on the list just stepped out. This is her daughter. Sylvia chats her up anyway, pointing out how the union can help her mother. The daughter agrees and asks them to come back. "That's very encouraging," Sylvia tells Angela as they drive on.
1:10 PM
At the next stop, April responds to Sylvia's pitch by saying that she hasn't been taking care of kids for three years now, so there's no point in her signing up. Sylvia is momentarily stumped. Angela jumps in and explains to April that because she's still listed as a provider, it's OK to sign up. April mentions how hard it was not getting paid on time. She signs the union-support card.
"You got your first one," Angela gives Sylvia a thumbs up. "Let's go eat."
2:46 PM
After a "bad address" and a "not home" call, the next provider gives Sylvia the boost she needs. A woman named Margaret, who is peering out of a second-floor window, agrees to come down and talk, and the conversation goes well. Sylvia pops the big question: "Are you willing to stand up now for your co-workers and join the union?" Margaret is willing. Sylvia hands her a pen and a card, and Margaret signs.
At the next house, a German shepherd is sitting on the front porch, leashed but barking. Noisy dogs are typical but don't stop good VMOs. Sylvia makes her pitch, with Angela's help. The woman doesn't seem receptive at first. But after Sylvia makes a point about low pay and long hours, the woman declares, "You got that right," and signs the card.
5:50 PM
After a few more "not homes," Sylvia and Angela are ushered in to Donna's living room. By this time, Sylvia's got the drill down pat. Donna complains about not getting paid for three months. "If that happened to me," Sylvia exclaims, "my union would be out there waving our contract and demanding an answer." Donna tries to downplay the problem, says it's not her sole income anyway. "But that's not right," Sylvia insists. "For many child care providers, it is their only income."
Donna nods approvingly. She says, "Let me sign the card" and reaches for a pen. Then Sylvia remembers something she learned from the training: Be honest, talk about union dues. When she says, "You understand that, as a union member, you will have to pay dues," Donna hesitates to fill out the card.
Sylvia looks worried. But Donna smiles and says: "That's only fair. People who take care of kids — and I know what these providers go through each day — we definitely need a union. Let me sign."
Back in the car, Angela commends Sylvia for "doing what you know best, sharing your own experience about what the union will do. You're in the groove now, girl!"
Sylvia is delighted. "I'm four for four now," she says. "I can do this!"
7:25 PM
More unproductive attempts occur, then the partners head back to the union hall where each team has returned with at least four cards signed. The VMOs then shared their favorite stories. Catherine Goins, a VMO from Youngstown, who recently retired after 25 years, recounts her most difficult moment trying to convince one woman she visited:
"She was reluctant, but I realized how important it was to challenge her, so I pushed her a little bit," she says. "I can't be apologetic because, without a union, nothing will change for child care providers in Cleveland. They need the union. After I explained that their income may actually go down because of some proposed changes in reimbursements, she overcame her doubts and signed the card. That was a great feeling."
Sylvia then raises her hand. "After today, I can never imagine myself not doing this," she says. "These women we talk to, they all want a union and I am just glad I could share my own personal experience and help them out. Now I know what it means to make a difference." The room erupts with applause.
