More than 160 people have come together to launch what is touted as the largest tenant union in the city, hoping to ensure safe and equitable housing conditions at Memphis Towers.
The Memphis Tenants Union announced its intention to fight for “critical improvements” for their residential area.
Alex Uhlmann, co-director of the union, said the organization has worked at Memphis Towers since 2021 and has been able to secure a number of victories for residents, including water boilers, 24-hour security, a renovated community room, and more.
The union also played a major role in removing the building’s previous owner, Millenia.
“With a union you have power,” Uhlmann said. “One of the key components with that power is how much of the building is in the union. We believe very strongly for a union to have legitimacy if it has a majority of the residents.”
Uhlmann said they have reached that majority with at least 57 percent of people living in Memphis Towers belonging to the Memphis Tenants Union. This advantage lets them represent a large number of residents in the property.
“The power of the union starts in the numbers and the people and activating those people to demand changes they want to see in the building,” Uhlmann said.
Mary Collier, a union member and Memphis Towers resident, lived at the property for 10 years before moving out. Collier returned to Memphis Towers as she thought it would be a safe place for her to retire in her later years. However, she said it was not the same building she stayed at previously.
“When I moved back it was like the wild, wild West,” Collier said. “It was completely different — I didn’t even recognize the place.”
Collier recalled seeing a large bugs upon moving in, saying she had to use Google to identify them.
This prompted her to join the Memphis Tenants Union, which she said helped her and other residents secure changes. Prior to joining the union, Collier said she didn’t feel like her voice was being heard.
“Thank God that we were able to kick out Millenia,” Collier said.
Collier noted the improvements that had been made since the union intervening, and said she and other residents are more confident in the future of the property.
However, both Collier and Uhlmann said there is still work that needs to be done, such as upgrading the building’s elevators.
According to the union, several residents have reported being trapped in the elevators, affecting primarily elderly and disabled tenants.
The Memphis Tenants Union is also working on being intentional with contract negotiations regarding lease agreements. Uhlmann said this will guarantee their changes are upheld by management.
Uhlmann stressed the power of numbers in bargaining as key to transforming housing systems in Memphis.
“We have a housing system that is extremely exploitative,” Uhlmann said. “There is an incredible power balance between landlords and tenants.”
The co-director said the answer to this is to have a majority of people on the side of tenants, fighting for improvements.