Allstate agents in United States to vote on unionizing

The National Association of Professional Allstate Agents Inc. (NAPAA) will take part in a secret mail ballot vote on Aug. 17 to decide whether the association will affiliate with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) as a guild.In a statement to Canadian Underwriter, Allstate Canada said NAPAA does not represent Allstate agents in Canada, “and the outcome of this vote has no impact on our agency workforce in Canada.”In a joint NAPAA and OPEIU press release, NAPAA executive director Jim Fish said the prospect of a 20% cut in agent compensation served as a catalyst to affiliate with the union.”In addition, many insurers utilizing independent contractor agents have manipulated IRS precepts to the point where independent contractors are now employees without benefits or protections,” Fish said. The OPEIU represents 125,000 employees and guild members. With a positive vote on the ballot initiative, the group will take steps to formalize the affiliation. Upon affiliation, NAPAA members will be granted membership in OPEIU and all State Federations of Labour.