On the Friday before Labor Day, employees at the Nevada Humane Society say they received an email from management urging them not to form a union.
The “information sheet No. 1” was sent as employees from Reno and Carson City are trying to convince others to unionize ahead of planned Sep. 29 union elections, citing low pay, chronic understaffing and a myriad of other problems.
In mid-August, employees filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and informed the Nevada Humane Society of their intent to organize.
We contacted the Nevada Humane Society about these developments but received no immediate response to our query.
In an all-staff email shared with Our Town Reno, the explainer sheet sent by the systemmessage@paycomonline.com address indicates the Nevada Humane Society “does not support unionization,” and “does not believe that unionizing is in the best interest of our employees or our animals.”
The 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing local animals with permanent homes has been riddled with problems in recent years, and recently appointed a new CEO Jerleen Bryant.
One current worker told Our Town Reno anonymously that the majority of policy changes implemented by Bryant have been like “a new coat of paint on a car that is rotted on the inside,” alleging that employee needs and concerns continue to be ignored under her leadership.
Other NHS employees, who also asked to remain anonymous, say recent changes, including Bryant’s hiring, who was made interim CEO in May and then given the permanent role in July, have failed to address the high staff turnover and chronic understaffing that they say prevents their shelters from providing an appropriate level of care.
This despite NHS receiving millions of dollars in grant funding every year, with the last reported total being about $8 million in grants and contributions in fiscal year 2021.
In recent days, NHS has been reaching out to local media and asking for help on their own social media, asking for donations to help replenish their pet food assistance program.
Workers told us that when their centers are unable to receive and care for enough animals because of low staffing, the burden falls on animal services departments of Washoe and Douglas County Sheriff's departments, which unlike the NHS are not “no kill” shelters and do not provide pet adoption services.
Since taking over, Bryant has said she is committed to keeping NHS a no-kill facility. She’s also indicated she has plans to open the NHS dog adoption floors back up to the public, after operating on a per appointment basis only.
Complaint letters from workers concerning former CEO Greg Hall who resigned in May included allegations of mismanagement, retaliatory actions against staff, lack of training, and excessive euthanasia and drugging of dogs. Hall denied the allegations before stepping down.
Employees who spoke to Our Town Reno say the main priority in forming a union is to secure better pay for shelter employees and guaranteed minimum staffing, along with the creation of a committee for animal care which would give day-to-day workers a voice in overall decision-making.
If successful, the election will authorize the newly-formed Northern Nevada Animal Labor Union to represent the workers at the Humane Society’s Reno and Carson City locations.