WELCOME TO
OPEIU LOCAL 459
Local 459 is a labor Union for white collar workers. It is dedicated to improving the work life of its members and the community. Local 459 has more than 2,700 members who work throughout the lower peninsula of Michigan.
Benefits
Union member benefits and resources
Need a Union?
Steps to form a union where you work
Your Contract
Explore your bargaining agreements
Resources
Resources, training, and your rights as a Shop Steward
Members in Action
OPEIU Members in Action
Tell the Red Cross: Front-line heroes deserve a fair contract
American Red Cross employees are everyday heroes. They have stepped up time and time again, putting themselves at risk during the pandemic to keep their communities and donors safe and healthy. At times, they weren’t even provided adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). For their work and the vital services they provide to their communities, they deserve respect and a fair contract that guarantees health care and safe working conditions.
Sadly, Red Cross is denying these heroes the voice they deserve to make improvements in the workplace. All that the workers want is to save lives, ensure safe staffing levels, receive PPE and prevent harmful levels of turnover among trained staff so they can collect our lifesaving blood supply.
Send a letter to the Red Cross and tell them: Front-line heroes deserve a fair contract.

OPEIU Student Debt Reduction Program
The OPEIU Student Debt Reduction Program is currently available to members in good standing for the last 12 out of 14 months when the application is submitted.
Applicants must have completed an Associate or Undergraduate Degree Program at a college, university, recognize technical or vocational post-secondary school.
The applicant must also have at least $10,000 in outstanding student debt and be making regular student loan payments to a recognized student loan provider.
Application deadline is June 30, 2022.
Complete the attached application and submit to the Local 459 office for the President’s signature. You may submit via fax (517-887-8848) or email (rackerson@local459.org).
Latest News
Red Cross Workers speak up
View the video link here: https://fb.watch/cU-2WVeSf2/
Tell the Red Cross: Front-line heroes deserve a fair contract
American Red Cross employees are everyday heroes. They have stepped up time and time again, putting themselves at risk during the pandemic to keep their communities and donors safe and healthy. At times, they weren’t even provided adequate personal protective...
Steward Training Flyer
May 5 (Thur.)5:30pm – 7:30pm
Newsletters
Nov 2020 – Apr 2021 Newsletter
Vote Yes on Proposed Constitutional Changes The Local 459 Constitution was last amended in February of 2017. Since that time, many changes have occurred with the OPEIU International Constitution. The Executive Board believed that there were enough changes that it...
Jul 2020 – Oct 2020 Newsletter
Members at Community Mental Health Agency of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) had a wage re-opener for the Large, Residential and RN Units. CMHA-CEI, like many other municipalities, faced a large budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year due to an...