Our canvassing teams rolled into this holiday season with a clear objective: Connect directly with public workers employees and share information they’re not getting from their union about their First Amendment right to opt out of membership and dues.
To cut through the holiday and end-of-year chaos, we took a familiar twist. As they do every year, our outreach team members suited up as Santa Claus and his helpers to spark conversations.
It worked.
In Tumwater, Wash., Santa visited the Labor and Industries Building to speak with public employees about union issues and worker rights. Many employees stopped to talk, ask questions and request materials.
The Santa approach created a friendly environment that made people more willing to engage. Workers appreciate being able to gather information without pressure and to discuss workplace concerns in a relaxed setting.
Likewise in McAllen, Laredo and Corpus Christi, Texas, healthcare workers approached us with curiosity, questions and real concerns about organized labor in their unique environment.
Many were not aware of how aggressively unions target hospitals — particularly the Service Employees International Union — or how these tactics could affect their workplaces.
Doctors, nurses, and support staff were consistently receptive. These were not surface-level exchanges. Conversations were long, detailed and candid.
A clear theme emerged. SEIU’s foothold in these regions is weak. Workers shared little familiarity with the union and even less enthusiasm for outside organizing efforts.
Senior staff and administrators echoed a similar sentiment. They are glad unions have not taken control of their facilities, and they want to preserve the flexibility and autonomy required to prioritize patient care without outside interference.
What stood out most throughout these efforts was the openness. Healthcare workers and public employees were eager for straightforward information. They appreciated having direct conversations instead of pressure from organizers.
As the year winds down, the team will continue meeting workers where they are and focus on transparency, choice and worker awareness across multiple sectors.
And we’ll be back next year.
