Thread regarding UnitedHealth Group Inc. layoffs

Could unionization protect us?

I remember years ago our Hooksett site had such terrible employee engagement scores they brought in someone to help management (me at the time) if there was ever talk of unionization. It never came up and over the years engagement improved. I wonder though, anyone know what our options are for unions to help state side employees ensure jobs stay state side?

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Post ID: @OP+11oW8fYo

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I believe that it’s about time for unions to form within UHG and Optum.

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Post ID: @n4kby+11oW8fYo

Do you realize that pay for some employees internet so they can work from home. They certainly don't pay mine. I haven't been in the office in over a year so why aren't I getting paid more to use my internet, phone, electric, heat, cooling, water. We know that our metric systems do not work. When was the last time you sat through a meeting during questions and answer when you thought to yourself these are real questions from real employees and not scripted with perfect answers? I am so tired of being treated badly. Poor Manager Poor Supervisors.

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Post ID: @8Evok+11oW8fYo

What do you have to lose? Could your benefits get any worse? Could your pay? They have to keep to keep a presence in the States per Medicare and Medicaid contracts. You want job security you get a union then you demand that these big companies who have these big insurance contracts demand that they employ American people. If the demand is there they won't have any other choice but to follow it. Do you really think the executives of UHC should be making millions of dollars? Do you think it is fair that when you have town halls they brag about all the good they are doing for their members but a majority of their own employee can't afford their medications? I say you start a Union. What is there is to lose? Give it a year and if it doesn't work vote it out. I believe there are around 320,000 employees. Look at the way the company is currently being ran. Are you happy to say you work there? The nilly willy lay offs. Here today gone tomorrow. Lay off 59 people at each site because anything over 60 requires a notice. When was the last time you had a system work? When was the last time you felt you had a voice? I know there are bad things that come with a Union but things can't continue the way they are. Maybe even if we threat to create a Union they will realize there are problems and start address issues. You realize when you were hired you signed an arbitration agreement limiting your rights. To scare you away it states that if you lose they can bill you for attorney fees. We need to be heard. We need to be United.
Pass these comments around get other people to commit to see who is all interested.

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Post ID: @8Dzag+11oW8fYo

@11oW8fYo-5qjd and thanks for adding absolutely nothing to the discussion! Troll.

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Post ID: @5loi+11oW8fYo

@11oW8fYo-5fwz thanks for that fantastic run on sentence!

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Post ID: @5qjd+11oW8fYo

I still work at optum and could really care less about being let go, but I know others aren't in the same position as I am and feel for them. So about your answer about unions not protecting you from layoffs... you are correct, they essentially cannot "protect" you, but they do have a use. Many workers at UHC and Optum answer phones for members, do basic accounting clerk jobs, or do quality analyst/routine and rote tech jobs that are being sent overseas in droves. I belonged to a union and our healthcare insurance was wonderful and cheap. My pay was good and the union has the power of many behind it. It's much easier to force a company's hand to keep jobs onshore and to call attention to abuses of executives when unionized. Additionally, union dues when spread out among so many are low - much lower than the extra cost of healthcare insurance rates at this company. There are two cons. One, unions protect the employees that have been there the longest first. Second, majority rules. Majority votes to strike, you strike. As for the union officials that are historically corrupt.... well, as a regular employee, you have politicians, executives, etc... that you already have to deal with corruption with so that's a personal decision on what's best for you.

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Post ID: @5fwz+11oW8fYo

No, unions cannot protect you from layoffs. Companies have a right to manage their workforce. Unions really just hold you back in general. Not as employee friendly as you think.

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Post ID: @4cjb+11oW8fYo

I was an employee at a company that was not unionized and this company had a world wide footprint. I am sure that once it looked as if a union was coming in, or was getting mserious talk at the service center from those who work there, that they would close the doors and send allo the calls elsewhere. I gurantee theyn have that situation in a buisiness plan and that is already a foregone decision. They wold close the doors and not hink twice about it, as you are definately replaceable. It is not even a thought in their mind wether or not they could lose a whole terminal and trhe workforce there. there is a reason they lease the building.

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Post ID: @1zdk+11oW8fYo

It probably would help, the problem is that when we are employed we are signing agreements not unionize. I'm fairly certain I remember seeing that somewhere.

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Post ID: @mfx+11oW8fYo

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