Copyright (c) 1998, Joongpil Cho
webshells.com/labor/imerys
| Author | Joe Wilson |
| Date | 00/01/29/16:13 |
| Hit Count | 585 |
| I would like to thank our Union Brothers and Sisters all over the World who have pledged their solidarity for the IMERY'S workers in Sylacauga, Alabama. I work for PACE International Union as an Organizer and was assigned to this project in June of last year. I'm writing to you to inform you first hand of the fear and intimidation these workers have had to experience. Before the merger was announced, these workers immediate supervisors were trained in anti-union tactics by IMERY'S hired UNION-BUSTER Frank Parker. (See exerts from this training in NEW on this web site.) When we first tried to visit workers in their homes they were afraid to even open their doors to talk to us. When we were able to visit with these workers and their spouses the fear that their supervisors had planted in their minds was visible in their eyes, facial expression and questions. We informed these workers about how Unions work. We told them we were available to answer all their questions. We explained what signing a Union Authorization Card meant. We did not ask them to sign a card until they had all their questions answered and they had talked it over with their spouse. These workers told their co-workers about our visit and the way we answered their questions and did not pressure them to sign a card. Workers started calling us to set up appointments to visit with them and their spouses. A large majority of the workers have signed cards and decided they want to form their union. We are receiving more cards every week. These workers have willingly signed these cards and management should recognize this act of courage and conviction and agree to a card check for recognition. The Union Buster, Frank Parker, has subjected these workers to enough fear and intimidation. Parker has instructed management not to accept a card check and force these workers to an NLRB election so he can sell his full package of lies, intimidations and fear tactics. I ask each and every one of you to demand that IMERY'S do the right thing for these workers and agree to recognize their Union by a card check. I have observed their fear first hand and I pray daily that someone in upper management will say enough is enough. No more Union Buster, Frank Parker and recognize the wishes of these workers.
In Solidarity Joe Wilson, International Organizer |