NLRB finds Johnson Controls guilty of violating right to organize

Seats for the Ford F-150 truck, which is assembled by UAW Local 980 members in Edison, N.J., are supplied by a Johnson Controls facility, also in Edison. These seats were made by Local 980 members until about three years ago when Ford outsourced the work to Johnson Controls.

In December 1999 the UAW filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) asking for a union representation election on behalf of the 76 workers at Johnson Controls.

Seventy percent of the workers had signed the petition for representation. A letter was also signed by all employees requesting recognition of the UAW as their sole collective bargaining represenative. JCI workers then attempted to hand deliver the letter to the plant manager, who refused to accept it.

In the six weeks that followed, prior to the NLRB conducted election, Johnson Controls management and human resources staff relentlessly and viciously attacked the UAW through a series of leaflets, captive audience meetings, and films that workers were required to watch. Management also targeted workers individually with promises of pay raises if they voted no, along with promises to fix individual grievances and reduce attendance occurrences. Attempts were made to pit worker against worker with rumors, lies, and constant harassment.

UAW Local 980 President Bob LaPointe and the entire membership showed tremendous support of the JCI workers by signing petitions, attending and speaking at a pre-election rally at the Local 980 hall, and visiting some JCI workers at their homes.

In spite of this support from Local 980 and the hard work and determination of the JCI plant organizing committee, Johnson Controls’ illegal and immoral tactics worked. On January 17 the workers voted against UAW representation by a small margin.

On March 31 the NLRB regional director in Newark, N.J., formally issued a complaint against Johnson Controls for unfair labor practices and has scheduled a hearing on these charges for May 2000. It is expected that the NLRB will order new elections at JCI.

This story shows that workers at supplier plants want to be represented by the UAW. Local 980 members will continue to support these workers and their right to have a union.

While suppliers are more than willing to do and spend whatever it takes to keep their workers non-union, union members must all work harder than ever in national and local bargaining and on the shop floor to let their employers know they will no longer tolerate their union busting tactics.

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