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Getting Started
with SUUVA

 Join SUUVA

WELCOME FACULTY!

BECOME A UNION MEMBER! SUUVA/CWA IS NOW INVITING FACULTY TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR CLASSIFIED STAFF BY SIGNING A MEMBERSHIP CARD OR JOINING ONLINE. THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. HELP GIVE STAFF A VOICE!

Why Join SUUVA/CWA?

Posted: Monday May 13, 2002

The central reason for joining SUUVA is simple:

To the extent that you want a voice in the workplace, to effect change in your workplace and in how you and your co-workers are treated, there is strength in numbers.

Your voices are louder and clearer when you speak as one voice. Standing alone, your grievances are perceived as personal ones. Standing together, your grievances become much more: they become the concerns of an entire workforce. Standing together, you are more likely to grab management’s attention and more likely to persuade management to act in your favor.

The above principle of concerted action is relatively self-evident. But why join SUUVA in particular?

SUUVA is your union. SUUVA already exists. The organization is in place. It’s purpose is to give University employees a voice in their workplace and improve working conditions. It’s a democratic, member-run organization. Members elect their representatives. Members have the right to participate in meetings, formulate strategy, identify issues for action, and direct the union. SUUVA is already there for you, and, in a sense, once you join, it belongs to you. It’s your organization.

SUUVA has resources that employees otherwise wouldn’t have. SUUVA is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This means that SUUVA is backed by one of the largest labor unions in the country, with around 750,000 members nationwide. CWA has an entire sector devoted to public, university, and health care employees. The CWA affiliation means SUUVA has access to resources – not just financial backing for certain projects, but access to economists and researchers, lawyers, lobbyists, organizers, and public relations professionals. CWA also has sheer political clout that has been and will be of great benefit to UVA employees who need a voice in Richmond.

Together, we can get things done. In Virginia, you have the right to join a union. You have the right to promote your interests before the University through your union. We don’t yet have the right to collectively bargain or strike. But there are innovative ways for us to make our voices heard and effect change, through wide-ranging public campaigns, lobbying the state government, lobbying the University administration, and a variety of other strategies that we can formulate as our needs arise. CWA has experience – and great success—in working with state employee unions in places like Texas and Mississippi, where there is no collective bargaining. One thing is certain, when you bring together employees committed to change, and when they have resources at the ready, where there is a will – there is a way. Ultimately, what makes a difference is you – your involvement and your participation.

How to join SUUVA

It is easy to join us!

Click here to fill out an on-line application form OR click here for a printable copy of our signup form and mail it to us at:

  1. SUUVA/CWA
  2. 327 W. Main St., Suite B
  3. Charlottesville, VA 22903

Or, call us and we can mail you any information.

  1. 434 984-3362

Dues

  1. $10.70 per month for full-time employees
  1. $5.35 per month for part-time employees
  2. Payroll deducted monthly or bi monthly (however you get paid)

Discounts

Show your union pride, support local businesses and get the following discounts if you are a card-carrying member of SUUVA/CWA:

  1. ALC Copies: 4 cents/page for standard copying or printing; 10% discount on all other services…
  2. Baja Bean: Monday Happy Hour extended for union members, 7-9pm…
  3. Blue Bird Cafe: At lunch, buy 1 entree, get the 2nd half price…
  4. Chesapeake Bagel Bakery
  5. (Corner and Barracks Rd): 15% discount…
  6. Espresso Royal Cafe: 20% discount on food and drinks on Thursday…
  7. Freeman-Victorius: 10% discount on framing…
  8. Greenskeeper: Thursday Happy Hour and Free Pool extended 6-8pm…
  9. Sylvia’s Pizza
  10. (Corner and Downtown): 10% discount.

More to come!

Comments

Further Reading

SUUVA FAQ

Posted: Friday August 13, 2004

Communication Workers of America (CWA)

Posted: Sunday August 8, 2004

Mission Statement

Posted: Sunday August 1, 2004

Why Organize?

Posted: Tuesday August 13, 2002

SUUVA/CWA History

Posted: Tuesday August 13, 2002

Why Join SUUVA/CWA?

Posted: Monday May 13, 2002
Title

UVA RESTRUCTURING BILL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT-NOVEMBER 16, 2005 (PDF)

SUUVA/CWA CWA Logo