State Farm employees, we no longer have a voice, we no longer have leaders looking out for our best interest, and it is time to stand up and say enough.
We have protections under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) that provides protection for us to band together and get the leaders of this organization to listen. This applies to PA, RA, RE employees, but not to those of you in leadership, so keep that in mind. If you stand up to Executive for the mutual aid and protection of 2 or more employees you are protected under the definition of Concerted Activity. The company can not retaliate against you for your actions, and if they do a charge will be filed with the National Labor Relations Board. The will not risk having a publicity nightmare explaining to ever union policyholder why they are violating their own employees' labor relation rights.
So what does that mean? Come forward with your demands. For those of us facing layoffs, demand to know the process they are using to pick employees. Demand to know the impact their choices had on older, higher paid employees. Demand to have an employee from your group sit in on the meetings. For those who haven't gone through layoffs or will soon, you can stand up as well. Demand to see the numbers supporting the required overtime, the numbers supporting continued stacking on of claim files beyond what any person can handle.
Demand to have a representative sitting in when our Executives explain to the Board of Directors how their short sighted decisions are killing customer service and ultimately the ability to compete. The Board needs someone present who represents the employees. Our leaders no longer do that. They are no longer our advocates, they see us as expendable minions hurting their bottom line.
The founder of this company stood up to these types of leaders when he left to start State Farm. We now have to stand up to this type of leadership to save that company. Become part of GJ's Army. So find those like minds around you, and become a group of 4 or 5. Remember to start your conversations or emails, with that fact that you are representing a group of employees under the protections provided to you by the NLRA. Enjoy the moment of panic on the leaders faces and then drive the change you want and need.