Employees Seeking Some Simple Workplace Standards
Having grown tired of an ever-changing set of work rules, about 100 employees at Air System Components in Lebanon, Ind. have voted to end the insanity by bringing Steelworkers representation to their workplace. Results of the secret-ballot election have been certified by the National Labor Relations Board.
Workers here make large industrial fans for various heating and cooling applications in large institutions, including hospitals.
“This (organizing campaign) was never about money,” said Dustin Martin, who played an active role on the workers’ organizing committee. “Basically, there have been a lot of rule changes. What it came down to for us was just fairness. We need to get some things in writing around here. Things change so quickly, sometimes from week to week.”
“We made a run at it last year (to organize) but came up six or seven votes short,” Martin said. “I think a lot of the workers thought things would get better; but they saw that things weren’t getting better. This time we got enough votes to push it over the top.”
Nominations have been made and an election will soon take place to vote in members of a bargaining committee. They will then begin working toward a first contract.
“We need some rules, some policies in place. Right now, our biggest concern is just getting something set in stone that we can all live with and go by,” Martin said.
USW members Tom Long, Bernita Wilson, Antonia Alvarez, Ed Underwood and Lyle Loper were all active in helping with the organizing campaign.
Our new members become part of USW District 7 where Jim Robinson is Director. The USW is the largest industrial union in North America, representing more than 850,000 workers.
For more information, contact the USW at (877) 511-8792
For an Organizing Contact Request Form, click HERE
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ORGANIZING NEWS
