Planning to cast their ballots this May Day, Austin Pets Alive!'s workers are in the midst of a labor movement that's garnering city-wide attention. The Austin Pets Allied Workers (APAW), a group representing employees at the famed nonprofit animal shelter, are making their voices heard as they gear up to vote on joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 776, according to CBS Austin.
"We at Austin Pets Alive have been working to unionize for quite a while," Austin Pets Alive! data analyst Ellis Avallone said, as per CBS Austin. Highlighting an industry that often goes unnoticed in labor discussions, Avallone added, "Animal welfare as a whole is a pretty underrepresented industry in the labor movement, we were excited to take this step and advocate for better working conditions and better living conditions for our animals." With the vote set for May 1 at their Town Lake and Tarrytown locations, the workers are focused on issues like workplace safety, satisfactory compensation, and the well-being of the animals. The final count of both mail-in ballots and in-person votes is expected on May 24.
APAW’s cause has not only rallied the workers but also shed light on the less than ideal conditions at the aging Town Lake Animal Center. "The facility and kennels were not built to hold animals for more than a few days," Avallone told KVUE. However, the reality is many of the shelter's residents need to stay for extended periods, some for several years.
Alongside facility concerns, Ryan Martinez, a dog behavior trainer at APA!, discussed the challenges they face daily due to insufficient staffing and infrastructure. "I have cut myself on gates and stuff regularly. We’ve had dogs escape spaces because they are breaking down and that’s dangerous for obvious reasons," Martinez said, as detailed by KVUE. Expressing a sentiment resonating among their peers, Martinez highlighted the dedication of the staff to the animal's wellbeing, but stressed the need for more support, "This would be a hard job no matter what. I love these animals and I've seen so many people who feel that way have to step away because they're not being supported."
