IKEA Workers Say "Union Yes" at Only U.S. Factory

Victory for workers 3 years in the making

IKEA lovers and supporters of workers' rights, rejoice! You can shop at your favorite trendy furniture retailer and buy union at the same time.

Workers at the IKEA/Swedwood plant in Danville, VA have voted 221 to 69 to form a union and bargain for a better life with the IAM:

"This victory is the result of the courageous actions taken by Swedwood workers in the face of substantial employer intimidation which is far too common today," said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. "A large number of unions and organizations joined this struggle to help Swedwood workers win their fight for justice. That is what solidarity is all about."

Bill Street, director of the IAM's woodworking unit and an organizer on the IKEA campaign told the Associated Press "everything's on the table" when the union and Swedwood, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IKEA, begin negotiating a contract:

"IKEA, you have a choice to make. You can recognize what we've been saying over the past three years is in fact true and then begin bargaining with us in good faith, or you can continue this fight," he said after the vote was totaled.

Congratulations to our new union brothers and sisters at IKEA in Danville!