The UAW is alleging that managers at Freightliner – the DC-owned heavy-duty truck manufacturing firm – reversed its previously neutral stance in order to pressurise workers prior to a recent union recognition vote. The workers voted narrowly against union recognition.
UAW Vice-Presidents Nate Gooden, who heads the union’s DaimlerChrysler Department, and Bob King, who heads the UAW’s Organizing Department, today charged that, “at the 11th hour, Freightliner management at the highest levels reversed its previously neutral stance toward a union vote by workers at a Freightliner plant in Gastonia, North Carolina.”
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“The company’s conduct in the final 48 hours before the vote not only violated both the law and neutrality protections that DaimlerChrysler agreed to and reaffirmed in writing,” said King. “It also stole from these workers the union rights and recognition they deserve.”
The vote was held on Wednesday, March 20, at the Freightliner plant in Gastonia, North Carolina. 322 workers voted in favor of UAW representation, 346 voted no. The UAW currently represents workers at Freightliner’s factory in Mt. Holly, North Carolina.
According to the UAW, workers at the Gastonia plant reported that Freightliner COO Roger Nielson compelled Freightliner workers to attend meetings on company time and company premises at which he threatened workers with loss of pay, benefits and jobs if the union were to be voted in.
The UAW also says that additional group intimidation sessions were held less than 24 hours before voting was to begin, a flagrant violation of the National Labor Relations Act which specifically prohibits such meetings within the 24 hours before voting begins.
“This kind of behavior by DaimlerChrysler executives can only have a bad impact on the UAW’s entire relationship with DaimlerChrysler,” commented Gooden. “For starters, we will make sure that every UAW DaimlerChrysler member knows that the company is talking out of both sides of its mouth when it preaches cooperation in some plants and trashes the UAW in other plants. Maybe that will begin to remind them that partnership is a two-way street.”
“Once again,” King added, “this demonstrates that union votes are not like other elections because employers can use threats and intimidation tactics that are completely contrary to making a free and informed choice. We will demand that DaimlerChrysler be held accountable for the actions of these managers.”
