ORGANIZING
Dana workers say ‘no’ to de-cert, ‘Yes!’ to UAW
Workers at a Dana auto parts assembly plant in Buena Vista, Va., voted 3-1 to remain part of the UAW, rejecting a decertification petition.
The 76 percent yes vote, on Feb. 4, was by a larger margin than the original card-check support.
“We got the union in here in 2003,” said Calvin Smith, president of the UAW Dana local. “We wanted to keep it so we could have a say in our workplace and on our wages and everything else.”
Back then, approximately 67 percent of workers signed union cards.
“This is good news for Dana and Dana workers,” said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. Workers at Dana in Buena Vista have made their choice clear — not just once, but twice.”
Workers at the Buena Vista plant first elected union representation in September 2003, through a card-check procedure, in which the company agreed to recognize the union once a majority of workers signed union cards.
The workers, who produce axles for Ford pickups and SUVs, are in the process of negotiating a first contract with the company.
“The phony National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation has been attacking our card-check elections at Dana and other companies all around the country,” said Gary Casteel, director of UAW Region 8, which includes Virginia. “The result of this election shows just how phony their arguments are. They claim card checks aren’t a reliable to way to find out what workers think. But at Buena Vista, not only did workers vote in favor of our union the second time around, our support got even stronger. Right to Work is just a front group for the worst kind of employers, who oppose workers’ democratic right to form a union at every opportunity.”
In contrast, UAW Vice President Bob King said, “The leaders of the Dana Corporation lived up to the letter and spirit of our agreements, and we really appreciate their integrity. The company strongly stood behind the right of workers to choose whether or not to be part of the UAW.” King directs the union’s National Organizing Department as well as the UAW Competitive Shop/Independents, Parts and Suppliers Department.
More victories
Those Dana workers joined with 1,321 others who voted for UAW representation over the past couple of months. That included 246 workers who make car seats and headliners at Johnson Controls in Livermore, Calif. Workers also chose the UAW at Brunner International, Medina, N.Y.; Plastech Engineered Products, McCalla, Ala.; Logistics Services Inc., Fenton, Mo., and Grand Prairie, Texas; Collins & Aikman, St. Louis; ThyssenKrupp Presta, Terre Haute, Ind.; Corporate Fitness Services Inc., Louisville, Ky., and Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance, Dundee, Mich.
