Guilderland highway workers look to unionize
Enterprise file photo — Melissa Hale-Spencer
Guilderland Highway Superintendent Bob Haver readies to take the oath of office from Supervisor Peter Barber. Workers in Havers’s department are looking to unionize.
GUILDERLAND — Guilderland’s highway workers are looking to unionize their department.
A majority of the 43 operators, laborers, and mechanics in the potential bargaining unit have signed cards choosing the Civil Service Employees Association as their bargaining representative, according to the union.
“The workers said they look forward to a neutral organizing environment and they believe having a union plays a ‘crucial role in municipal workplaces to ensure fairness and equity,’” the union said in a statement.
Joel Taylor, a highway worker, told The Enterprise the “main reason” the workers are seeking to unionize is to collectively gain a “seat at the table.” And a contract, he said, will “benefit us across the board.”
Taylor, 41, is one of four highway workers leading the union drive. He’s in his second year with the department; he previously worked for Albany County’s Department of Public Works, where he was represented by the CSEA.
As at-will employees, Taylor said, there is a perceived risk associated with voicing opinions, including those about unionization; he added there is a general fear of retaliation for speaking up about such concerns.
Another contract benefit would be the consistent application of the rules, Taylor said, citing how time off is used as an example. The absence of a formal, written agreement contributes to this inconsistency, Taylor said. “Having all that in writing — it’s all about the contract.”
Taylor also cited the lack of a consistent pay scale for different job titles and the absence of a clear pathway for career progression as additional concerns driving the unionization effort.
With an all-Democratic town board, Taylor was asked if he foresaw any pushback with the unionization effort. Taylor focused his answer on management in the highway department. “Whenever it’s been mentioned,” he said of unionizing, “management has not been thrilled with the idea.”
Bob Haver, superintendent of the highway department, did not respond to a request for an interview, nor did Supervisor Peter Barber.
