Austin Pets Alive Employees Make History
In a landmark vote, the employees of Austin Pets Alive (APA) have decided to unionize. After nearly a year of unyielding organizing, around 200 workers have chosen to be represented by a union, creating the largest animal shelter union in the USA, as per claims from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the union to represent APA staff.
Push for Better Working Conditions and Resources
APA employees have united to secure a contract they hope will provide better pay and benefits, promote a healthier work-life balance, and secure newer equipment to cater to the needs of the animals in their care. Morty Gillum, a cat placement officer at the APA, expressed his belief that the unionizing will ultimately improve conditions for their four-legged wards.
Gillum indicated that employees’ suggestions and demands were often overlooked, even though they interacted directly with the animals on a daily basis. Winning the election for unionization, he stated, would serve as a significant step in advocating better care for these animals.
Organizing for the Betterment of the Shelter and Its Inhabitants
The assembly of Austin Pets Allied Workers (APAW) took place in the summer of 2023, marking the beginning of the organizing efforts. Ryan Martinez, a dog behavior trainer for APA, highlighted how improved staffing policies would result in better training and more playtime for dogs. These changes would redirect the focus onto the mental and emotional health of individual animals.
APA, according to Martinez, frequently takes in dogs that may have been neglected or potentially euthanized by other shelters. Their resources, however, have not kept up with the constant influx of animals. Both Martinez and Gillum believe that hiring additional staff is necessary and would also boost the online visibility of each pet looking for adoption.
The Journey Towards a Contract Begins
The route towards a final contract, notwithstanding the empowering vote, may be long-winded and complicated. As Texas is a “right to work” state, employees can decide whether or not they wish to join a union after it has been certified. Despite this freedom, a certified union represents all employees in union-covered positions, regardless of their membership and dues contribution. This situation could potentially impact the union’s influence, as it might not receive the full support of each employee.
Negotiations between APA management and the union have not yet commenced. This process could potentially take several weeks or even months. Nonetheless, the APA workers are determined to improve conditions at their workplace, not just for their own sake, but most importantly for the animals they care for.
