‘If men and women can believe in becoming one like we did at Dakkota, we can achieve anything.’ – Karl Wilson

Members of the UAW in Region 5 have been busy.

In Missouri workers at Dakkota Integrated Systems Inc. in St Louis voted a whopping 100 percent on Dec. 19 to form their own union as UAW members.

Joining the UAW, said the new members of Local 1760, offered benefits too good to pass up.

“We needed security for ourselves and our families,” said Michelle Pinnetter, an operator. “Now that we are union, we know we are not alone.”

Said material handler Chris Osborne, “We can maintain good jobs if we work as a team. That represents solidarity for us.”

Dakkota workers produce instrument panels and handle parts sequencing. Dakkota is a joint venture between Wayne, Mich.-based Rush Trucking and Intier Automotive Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Troy, Mich.-based Magna International Inc.

“I believe in teamwork. What better way than becoming union,” said Michelle Bone. “It was a good thing for us to do. The union has brought us closer together.”

Also, in Columbia, Mo., UAW members showed their union solidarity as they defeated two recent decertification efforts.

Workers at EPC Columbia – Collins & Aikman remain UAW Local 710 members after a National Labor Relations Board election Oct. 18. The members produce automotive instrument panels for Mitsubishi.

And Dana Corp. workers in Columbia, also of Local 710, defeated a decertification attempt Jan. 10 by voting overwhelmingly to remain UAW members. They produce traction assembly for Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and Nissan Motors.

Sandra Davis and Jennifer John contributed to this report.