Dennis Rice, CEO of Alternatives Unlimited, finally agrees to not threaten employees based on their union sympathies
After spending $200K* of human service dollars on anti union campaign, Dennis Rice forced to agree to another union election.
In November 2011, workers at Alternatives lost their union election by a narrow margin, and now we know why. Evidence uncovered and presented to the National Labor Relations Board indicates widespread abuse of workers’ rights by Alternatives Unlimited managers prior to the election.
Evidence of illegal activity included:
- Threatening employees
- Overly broad no solicitation policy
- Surveying staff about union sympathies
- Granting bonuses in order to discourage union support
Faced with a mountain of evidence, Dennis Rice has given in and agreed to another election. As part of the agreement, Alternatives is required to post statements in worksites saying that they will not commit these infractions going forward.
Alternatives Unlimited relies almost entirely on state tax dollars. Dennis Rice is constantly crying poor mouth**, begging the state for more money, yet he seems to have unlimited funds to fight employees who are organizing for a voice on the job.
Another union election will be scheduled for in a few months.. You’d think that Dennis would have learned his lesson by now, but unfortunately, we would not be surprised if their campaign of intimidation continues through this election as well.
