Posted on 02/11/2014 9:58:36 AM PST by Kaslin
Put this in the when-pig-fly category: I’m finding myself agreeing with something the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) did.
The UAW has long been seeking to organize workers at the Volkswagen assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the moment of truth has arrived. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has scheduled an election for February 12 to 14 where workers will have the final say.
In the lead up to the vote, the union negotiated with the company to set the terms of Volkswagen’s neutrality in the election. Surprisingly, the union agreed to something that makes such perfect sense that it should set a new precedent for future union organizing drives, and perhaps even find its way into new rules coming out of the NLRB. The UAW agreed not to visit employees at their homes without being invited.
It doesn’t sound like that significant of a concession, but it’s actually tremendously important. The UAW, like so many other unions, have routinely paid employees a visit at their homes to, well, let’s use the word “persuade” workers to support labor’s organizing efforts. But all too often that persuasion turns into intimidation and harassment, especially when the visits happen repeatedly.
It’s no secret that labor organizers often resort to violence and coercion to get their way. Various members of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) in Philadelphia were recently sentenced to severe prison terms for committing attacks on non-union construction company executives and vandalizing company equipment. Shockingly, union bosses have successfully pushed for laws to be passed in several states that make criminal acts committed in the name of labor organizing completely legal.
So, it’s no wonder most workers would fiercely object to hearing a knock at the door at dinnertime and finding union organizers at their doorstep. At a minimum it’s an invasion of privacy. In reality, it is, and is intended to be, threatening. The message sent is we know where you and your family live.
The UAW’s promise to respect the privacy of workers at home comes at a perfect time. The NLRB is in the process of writing new rules to govern union organizing elections. Unfortunately, instead of providing greater privacy protection to employees, the proposed “ambush” election rule goes in the opposite direction, requiring employers to turn over to the union even more personal information about the employees. And there are no strings attached, no rules whatsoever about what labor organizers can do with that personal contact information. Under the rule, employers would be required to provide union organizers the home and cell telephone numbers, and personal e-mail addresses of workers.
The Obama Labor Board should revise their proposed rule to empower workers to control what, if any, of their contact information is shared with the union, and just as importantly, how that information can be used. For instance, one worker might decline to share their home address with the union, while another might agree to share their home address for the purpose of receiving mail, but not for physical visits at their home. Another worker may agree only to receive communication via phone or email.
It is important to note, workers provide employers personal contact information when hired not for union organizing purposes; instead, they do so to receive payment, work-related correspondence and in the event something unfortunate takes place.
Giving workers control over their personal information makes so much sense even the UAW agreed to it in Chattanooga. Now it’s up to the NLRB to give every worker in America the same protection.
Taking bets that the UAW DID “visit” homes of voters.
Everyone has cell phone cameras, security monitors, and other audio/video equipment in their homes. Intimidating home visits could wind up on YouTube and backfire in a BIG way.
Thought you might like a ping.
NO WAY! That would be 1) lying, 2) Breach of Contract, 3) illegal, 4) unscrupulous, 5) unethical....
The UAW is above that kind of behavior. They would never stoop to the level of Federal Government tactics.
I don’t know what is going on with the labor board lately. They called off the OSHA dogs that had been going after small family farms.
http://edworkforce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=369552
Also, The UAW stole my retirement money.
great point!
VW is totally onboard with the UAW coming in, so I assume they’ve come to some understandings ahead of time.
I had a relative who very cushy job in a warehouse that was run by the Teamsters. The head of the local had him switched to graveyard to put his nephew in his spot. It was clearly against union bylaws since he had seniority, so he file a grievance. Next day a couple “big meats” from the union dropped by his house to “suggest” he drop it. He ended up leaving the job and moving, though he did get decent settlement from the union that he used to become an independent trucker.
“The UAW agreed not to visit employees at their homes without being invited.”
BS article because the union requires all the employee information before the vote.
They will be contacting those employees!
You were probably being stingy and selfish with your retirement plans. How can the UAW continue to serve it's constituents if it can aggressively influence government officials and their contituents?
(Caustic Sarcasm! sorry for your loss)
You wouldn't wanna get a visit from Bobby Bacala now, wouldja?
From what I understand is the Tax Help was on condition of No Union. They go Union and they loose the tax benefits. That was the deal.
Teamster’s got mine.
Fahrfromnüdgen ...............
My brother who lives in NY got a visit from Union representatives at his home. They were not invited but had his address. There were three of them, all big tough guys. They talked about the vote coming up and said they expected his support. They made his family very uncomfortable.
When asked to leave, they just sat there and didn’t move. They kept talking about how his family depended on him and how he needed to do the right thing.
When they came around a second time he did not answer the door. They kept ringing the bell and banging on the door but eventually left.
He did not vote for them, he voted against them.
The UAW isn’t nearly as powerful as they used to be, and they hold sway over a rapidly aging and fast diminishing workforce. The average UAW member is over fifty, and well past eligibility to retire. The people replacing them get nowhere near the wage or benefits, due to the “two-tier” wage system now in place. Add to that the fact that most of the foreign automakers operating in the south employ their workers through temp agencies and staffing firms, along with most of the supplier chain operating offshore, and the concept of the autoworkers unions are all but dead. If you wanted your cars to be built with minimum wage labor, you’ll get your wish soon enough, but your car won’t be any cheaper, because those savings don’t get passed down to you.
IAM swallowed muine up...
muine=mine
*sigh*
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