June 21, 2023
Dear Cooper Technical Team Members:
You are receiving this update as a valued member of the Cooper team. A Petition has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board (the NLRB) for a secret ballot election to unionize employees classified as technical employees.
We recognize every team member’s legal right to decide for themselves whether they
want union representation. However, we believe that after learning the facts about union
representation, Cooper technical team members will conclude that union representation is not in their best interest.
It is Cooper’s strong belief that a flexible work environment that allows for direct communication and cooperation is the best way to ensure Cooper remains a great place for team members and patients. When groups unionize, team members must work through the union – not directly with their leaders — to address issues that arise.
We value our ability to directly work with our non-union team members in a collaborative manner without conflict that often comes with union representation. We hope Cooper technical team members vote no in the upcoming election in order to maintain Cooper as a collaborative, great place to work.
Over the next few weeks, we will have informational meetings to inform team members on what unions bring to the workers they represent and the costs of that representation. Some of you signed a union card before you became aware of the facts about how union representation may alter your work and relationship with Cooper. You may now be concerned that you cannot now vote against the union. The truth is that signing a union card does not affect how you vote. You have the right to VOTE “NO” in the secret ballot election even if you signed a card.
We encourage you to make an informed decision by getting information from us, your friends, your own research, and the union. We are confident that once you get all the facts, you will vote no in the upcoming election.
No matter what happens in the election, we want you to know you will remain a valued member of the Cooper team providing the highest level of advanced care to those we serve. Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Beth Green, SVP, Chief HR Officer