North Carolina’s Union Movement

• Give workers a chance to unionize
• Union workers pay taxes like rest of us
• Give freedom to organize without fear of firing
• Law would help workers (scroll down)
• Unions need to grow stronger to help the economy
• Meeting labor half-way on ‘card-check’
• No more secret ballots for union votes?
• Blagojevich case used by Republican-allied foes of labor bill
• Solis provides little solace for workers
• Hope amid the gloom
• UAW to ask Obama to reverse ‘unfair’ loan conditions
• Don’t blame unions for car costs
• Bailout terms would force UAW surrender
• What help for automakers means for workers, consumers
• Jesse Jackson: help autoworkers, not just makers
• Obama set to name Labor, Transportation chiefs
• Obama’s Labor Dept. nominee gets mixed reaction
• Napolitano signs order for state talks with unions
• Trade policies deserve blame for auto industry’s downfall
• Obama signals major shift in US trade policy
• A global race to the bottom puts progress at risk
• Why Ron Kirk’s trade record annoys unions
• Obama forms White House task force on working families
• The long goodbye
• Deal reached on Delta-Northwest mechanics’ seniority list
• Which union would represent TSA?
• Unions fight competition in opposition to guest workers
• JetBlue pilots will vote on union

Turning election victories into policy progress

Our 2009 Legislative Conference will be held at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, 421 S. Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC on February 19-20, 2009. This conference is both an education forum and a lobbying opportunity for your membership.

At our 2009 Legislative Conference, we will discuss legislative issues in play at the state and national levels, including public employee bargaining and the Employee Free Choice Act. We also will meet with state legislators both at the legislature and again at the hotel during our legislative reception and banquet to talk about our 2009 Legislative Agenda.

Our experience is that the conference is not only interesting and educational for those who attend, but also that strong participation during the conference greatly impacts our image and our success in state legislative work. For information about hotel reservations, registration fees and schedules, download the conference flyer and the registration form.

Labor Councils across NC will be holding local legislative meetings ahead of our conference. Look for more info by mail, email, and on our web site, and find one near you.

• Calif. Congresswoman Solis Tapped to Head Labor
• Picks for Labor and Trade Positions Disagree on Policy
• Obama settles on Rep. Hilda Solis as labor chief
• Obama to name Rep. Solis to Labor post
• A Secret Weapon For Obama’s Labor Secretary
• Employee Free Choice Act Would Boost Economy, Supporters Claim
• Stimulus Package Heads Toward $850 Billion
• Bush Approves $17.4 Billion Auto Bailout
• Teachers, like UAW, are the solution (MI AFL-CIO Pres. Gaffney OpEd)
• If automakers fail, the American dream will fade (Opinion - UAW Local 774)
• Shield workers from management jihad (CLC Pres. Rodriguez Opinion)
• Obama to financial sector: More regulation is coming
• Organized labor ‘thrilled’ with Obama’s pick for labor secretary
• Obama to name pro-union Rep. Hilda Solis to Labor post
• Labor ties drive Solis pick
• Something must be done’  (Editorial)
• Payback Time (Opinion)
• A Republican Stimulus Plan (Mitt Romney OpEd)
• Unions using dues to support political candidates (Letter - Center for Union Facts)
• Financial Extortionists Take Heart From BofA’s Surrender In Chicago (OpEd)

“Angel Tree” list for striking members

Having been on strike since July 20, 2008, the many union members of Machinist Lodge W369 in Moncure, NC aren’t expecting to have a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year.

We wanted to give our readers and members from across the state an opportunity to help. The NC A. Philip Randolph Institute (NC APRI) has collected the wishes of workers walking the picket lines, and we have compiled them here for viewing.

Some wishes are for toys for children or gifts for spouses. Many wishes are for money to help pay basic expenses like transportation and shelter or gift cards to buy food.

If you would be interested in adopting a striker for the Holidays, contact the NC APRI at ncapri@earthlink.net and leave your name and phone number and who you would like to adopt.

For more information, contact business agent Melvin Montford at (901) 619-1987.

Rally planned for Saturday, Dec. 20

The strike at Moncure Plywood enter its sixth month on Saturday. The stakes for workers who have been out on the picket line since July have never been higher. The company is intent on using the strike to break the union rather than come to an agreement.

We cannot let that happen. Join us to rally support for the human rights of Moncure Plywood workers, members of IAMAW Local Lodge W369. You can bring your wish list gifts to the rally.

What: Rally to support striking workers

When: Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 12 noon

Where: Court House Circle at intersection of NC-64 and US-15/501 in downtown Pittsboro, NC (map it)

VIDEO: Interview with James Andrews, David Zonderman

Jessica Cervantez of News 14 Carolina interviewed State Fed president James Andrews for a story about the work of the AFL-CIO in North Carolina and the recent victory at Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel.

“It’s a great victory for the workers there at Smithfield. For more than 16 years, they have tried to form a union. [The company] decided to allow workers to vote in a fair and free process and that led to this victory.” — News 14, 12/12/08

Cervantez also interviewed David Zonderman, a professor at NC State University and member of the Hear Our Public Employees coalition, about the reasons for low union density in the southeast - including right-to-work (for less) laws and the ban on public sector bargaining.

Zonderman also raises the reasons employers generally oppose organizing - power and keeping wages low:

“To a certain extent, that is one of the goals of unions is to get people living wage. But what we have to remember is when people make that wage they also often spend that money,” Zonderman said. “So union wage in some ways is actually good for an economy.” — News 14, 12/12/08

The decline in bargaining power for middle class workers since the 1980s corresponds with declining wages despite huge gains in worker productivity. Profits that should have been shared in wage increases were taken by executives and shareholders. Meanwhile exploding costs for health care, food, housing and transportation have put the squeeze on consumers’ buying power, and our economy suffers the consequences.

You can read the article and watch the video online.

The Inter-Mountain, a newspaper in Elkins, West Virginia, recently published the following letter from a Ford dealer, which asks the simple question, “Have you driven a Ford lately?”

As I watch the coverage of the fate of the U.S. auto industry, one alarming and frustrating fact hits me right between the eyes. The fate of our nation’s economic survival is in the hands of some congressmen who are completely out of touch and act without knowledge of an industry that affects almost every person in our nation. The same lack of knowledge is shared with many journalists whom are irresponsible when influencing the opinion of millions of viewers.

Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama has doomed the industry, calling it a dinosaur. No Mr. Shelby, you are the dinosaur, with ideas stuck in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. You and the uninformed journalist and senators that hold onto myths that are not relevant in today’s world.

[...]

So I’ll end where I began on the quality of the products of Detroit. Before you, Mr. or Ms. Journalist continue to misinform the American public and turn them against one of the great industries that helped build this nation, I must ask you one question. Before you, Mr. or Madam Congressman vote to end health care and retirement benefits for 1 million retirees, eliminate 2.5 million of our nation’s jobs, lose the technology that will lead us in the future and create an economic disaster including hundreds of billions of tax dollars lost, I ask this question not in the rhetorical sense. I ask it in the sincere, literal way.

Can you tell me, have you driven a Ford lately?

Jim Jackson, Elkins, West Virginia

You can read Mr. Jackson’s full letter at the Inter-Mountain web site.

• On Wall Street, Bonuses, Not Profits, Were Real
• U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement Faces Uncertain Future
• Labor’s Leading Foe In Upcoming Battles Is "Dr. Evil" Of D.C. Lobbyists
• Jobs, Benefits: Grim Outlook
• Chrysler, Ford idle factories, GM delays new plant
• Republicans Choose Sides In Bailout
• GOP animus to auto union has deep roots (Opinion)
• UAW busting, Southern style (Opinion)
• Democratic Interest Groups Join To Press For Obama Economic Plan
• Future of the Card Check Bill (Video)
• Right road: The Port Authority accord charts a sensible course (Editorial)
• Lawmakers, Business Leaders Sound Alarm
• Blagojevich link stings even rival union (McIntee Interview)
• Windows on the Future?
• Auto unions have made concessions for years (Letter)
• Granholm not interested in Obama Cabinet
• Lieberman Panned In Poll, Admonished By State Democrats
• Energy Secretary Nominee Says ‘Coal Is My Nightmare’
• Let’s unite to end hunger for working families (NY JwJ OpEd)
• Investigation sought into SL compliance on labour rights
• Card check democracy (Column)
• Unions need to go away quickly (Letter)
• Bailing out ‘The Big Three’ (Editorial)

• Big Three ‘bailout’: This fight is over labor
• Watching out for the workers (Coco Column)
• What’s Next For The Auto Industry and the Future of Unions? (Audio)
• Green activists find new ally in US unions
• Bush signals help on way for automakers
• EFCA would return power to unionize to workers (Crowley NEA-RI OpEd)
• Next Education Secretary Set to Bridge Teachers Unions, Civil Rights Groups
• Free Choice Act guards democracy (Jones OpEd)
• Human rights and the economy crisis (Honey OpEd)
• Is GOP risking the economy to win the PR war against unions? (Levine OpEd)
• Free Choice Act a change women need (Standiford OpEd)
• Senate snubs middle class on auto loans (Michael Moore OpEd)
• Card Check and Detroit, Continued (Letter)
• Who Is at Fault for the Decline of the Big Three? (Opinion)
• Bailout without change won’t save auto industry (Editorial)

Supporters of justice marched on company share holders meeting in 2007.

Workers vote to join UFCW

After 16 long years, workers at the world’s largest meat processing plant will finally get their union.

Last night, the company announced the results of an NLRB supervised election—2,041 ’Yes’ votes for UFCW to 1,879 ‘No’ votes.

Organizing at the Bladen County plant began almost as soon as it opened in 1992. After two failed election attempts in 1994 and 1997, in which the company was found to have repeatedly broken the law, the union launched the Justice @ Smithfield campaign to raise public awareness about abuses at the plant.

Victory came after the company and union settled a lawsuit earlier this year which paved the way for a fair election process. The Tar Heel, NC plant now joins the majority of Smithfield operations where a union is already recognized.

From the UFCW press release:

“When workers have a fair process, they choose a voice on the job,” said UFCW Director of Organizing Pat O’Neill. “This is a great victory for the Tar Heel workers. I know they are looking forward to sitting down at the bargaining table with Smithfield to negotiate a contract. The UFCW has constructive union contracts with Smithfield plants around the country. Those union contracts benefit workers, the company and the community. We believe the workers here in Tar Heel can achieve a similar agreement.”

Ronnie Ann Simmons, a veteran of 13 years at the plant said, “We are thrilled. This moment has been a long time coming. We stuck together, and now we have a say on the job.”

Workers at 26 Smithfield-owned facilities around the country already have UFCW representation.

Company spokesman Dennis Pittman, who announced the results, told the News & Observer the election was conducted fairly, adding, “We respect the employees’ decision and look forward to working together.”

Workers have voted to have a voice on the job, and we hope the company will stand by its commitment to respect what they have to say and negotiate in good faith with the union on a first-contract.

The NC State AFL-CIO has for many years now stood in solidarity with the workers at Smithfield Packing, and we will continue to do so.

Congratulations to the new union members at Smithfield Packing in Tar Heel, NC. Your courage and determination to form your union is an inspiration to the entire labor movement. Congratulations also to the UFCW, which never gave up on what has been a very long campaign.

Rally for workers at Moncure Plywood

The strike at Moncure Plywood is about to enter its sixth month. The stakes for workers who have been out on the picket line since July have never been higher. The company is intent on using the strike to break the union rather than come to an agreement.

We cannot let that happen. Join us to rally support for the human rights of Moncure Plywood workers, members of IAMAW Local Lodge W369.

What: Rally to support striking workers

When: Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 12 noon

Where: Court House Circle at intersection of NC-64 and US-15/501 in downtown Pittsboro, NC (map it)

Call the company, let them know you’re watching

Community support is needed to demand Atlas Holdings (www.atlasholdingsllc.com), the company that owns Moncure Plywood, respect the human rights of its workers.

The company thinks no one outside the union cares about what it’s doing to its workers in Moncure. You can tell them otherwise.

Use the contact information below to send a message:

I am contacting you to demand your company treat the workers in Moncure with dignity and respect. You should bargain in good faith with their union and return IAM members to work.

Media focus on Employee Free Choice Act

Cullen Browder of CBS affiliate WRAL in Raleigh, NC interviewed state fed president James Andrews as part of a piece about the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). You can watch the video online.

Business groups opposed to EFCA are rolling out the same arguments they used in the 1930s to try to defeat passage of the National Labor Relations Act, which guarantees workers’ right to form unions. But as James points out - not unlike then - our economy is in the mess it is precisely because business was allowed to do whatever it wanted.

Empowering workers to form unions free of employer intimidation and abuse - which EFCA will do - is exactly what’s needed to restore balance to our economy and grow our middle class again.

Spread the word in your newsletter

Download a sample newsletter article you can use in your own publications to spread the word about why we need the Employee Free Choice Act.

• Leaders in talks to shape deal for loans
• Biden Shows He Will Be Labor’s Advocate in Obama Administration
• Union: A firm ‘yes’
• Union officials don’t want Miami mayor in Obama Cabinet
• Granholm: ‘Game over’ if no loan for GM
• Dodd: No choice on auto bailout
• UAW head: Workers ready to help
• Obama: Workers staging sit-in ‘absolutely right’
• Obama Says Workers at Chicago Factory Should Get Pay (Update1)
• Employee Free Choice Act may increase economic uncertainty
• Workers deserve a free choice
• McDonald’s girding for union fight
• Unions to Obama: Don’t abandon us

Misinformation abounds

The debate about whether the Congress should make available a bridge loan for the U.S. auto industry has been muddled by misinformation about the impact of the UAW’s contracts on the viability of Ford, GM, and Chrysler.

We are here to set the record straight.

The UAW has released The Truth about UAW Members and the U.S. Auto Industry, a detailed, point-by-point answer to several questions being asked in the media and in the Congress, including:

• Are UAW members really paid $73 an hour?
  No. This inaccurate and outdated figure includes the costs of pensions and health care benefits of retired employees spread out over the active workers; active workers never receive any of this compensation in any form. UAW wages start at $14 for new hires and go up to $33 for skilled trade workers.
• Do labor costs make up the majority of the cost of producing a vehicle?
  No. Only 10% is labor; the remaining 90% includes research and development, parts, advertising, marketing and management overhead.
• Do union work rules make domestic companies less efficient than their non-union competitors?
  No. In fact, nine of the ten most efficient auto assembly plants in North America are union plants.

Got the Facts? Make the Call to Congress!

Wall Street’s failures now threaten to bring down an entire industry - domestic automakers - that are suffering the consequences of the credit crisis. Three million jobs - many of them belonging to our brothers and sisters in the United Autoworkers - hang in the balance. In North Carolina alone, the collapse of the auto industry could cost 84,890 jobs.

Now is not the time to deny a bridge loan to the domestic automakers in order to push an anti-union agenda, which would punish generations of hard workers. Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler certainly shouldn’t get a free ride on the tax payer’s dollar. That is why Democratic Congressional leaders are demanding automakers demonstrate their viability and accountability before taking action. But doing nothing is not an option.

Please call the Capitol Hill switchboard at (877) 331-1223 and ask to speak with your member of Congress and both our U.S. Senators, Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr.

Tell them:

Congress must act in December to avoid the terrible consequences that would result from a collapse of the domestic automakers. It must pass legislation providing an emergency bridge loan to enable the domestic auto companies to continue their operations. At the same time, it should include requirements that will protect the taxpayers, and ensure the accountability and long term viability of the domestic auto companies.

Our brothers and sisters in the United Auto Workers would greatly appreciate your making this call today!

• Crunch Time for the Big Three
• Opposing view: Address the root causes
• Some Federal Workers Lose Bargaining Rights
• Proposed law would help workers
• Jobs we can’t afford to turn our backs on
• Union choice (scroll down)
• Americans should have choice to form unions (scroll down)
• How anti-labor
• Economic Signs Point to Longer, Deeper Recession
• Bailout Monitor Deplores Lack of Coherent Plan
• Autoworkers Worry More Givebacks Are in Store
• 3 economic ideas to shelve
• Trade bailout for union OK on Colombia agreement
• Business Lobbyists Create Room for Compromise
• Editorial: Card Check Eliminates Balance

• Showdown Looms Over ‘Card Check’ Union Drives
• Chamber Revs Up Efforts Against ‘Card Check’
• How far will Obama go for unions?
• Chambliss and Martin face Senate runoff in Georgia
• Liberal voters to keep pressure on Obama
• For Obama Supporters, Time to Call In Favors
• Labor Dept. Accused of Straying From Enforcement
• Unbelievable’ sum of money in Ga. Runoff
• Obama a no-show in Georgia Senate race
• Labor’s sweat in campaigns paid dividends
• UAW, Big Three Discuss Ending Idle-Workers Plan
• Autoworkers Worry More Givebacks Are in Store
• Each Player in Big Three to Bring Its Own Plan
• Change Immigrants and Labor Can Believe In
• Don’t blame labor for the woes in Detroit
• UAW wants limits on carmakers’ executive pay
• Hands Off the UAW
• Unions want political appointee lists
• Consensus emerging on universal healthcare
• Tomorrow’s Union: Part 2
• Unions provide collective voice for employees
• Getman: Organized labor wants full rights for all employees - documented or not