14 August, 2005ICEM news release No. 03/2004
U nion members at Imerys in Sylacauga, Alabama, reaffirmed their commitment to ICEM affiliate Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy (PACE) Workers Union 21 January by voting to retain the union. Workers voted 233-108 for union representation in a decertification ballot under US labour law.
Imerys is a French-based producer of building and construction materials. PACE and ICEM took Imerys on in 1999-2000 when the firm purchased a non-union plant adjacent to its PACE-represented one in Sylacauga. The company claimed the combined workforce no longer wanted union representation and orchestrated a petition that allows the US government to conduct a "yes" or "no" vote. For the second time, workers have now voted for the union.
"It is unfortunate that Imerys has not changed its anti-union position," said PACE Vice President Don Langham, a member of ICEM's Presidium. "We are prepared to restart the global campaign unless the company's behavior changes."
PACE and ICEM successfully took on Imerys in 1999-2000 over local management's combined workforce scheme. The two labour unions brought the Alabama dispute before Imerys workers in France, Belgium, Australia and UK. The dispute became the focal point at the company's AGM in Paris. And prior to the June 2000 vote by workers, ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs visited Sylacauga and pledged to make "it so hot" for Imerys that it would want a "solution." The global pressure softened management's resolve, and workers became less burdened and more in tune with making a free and open-minded choice.
Workers then overwhelmingly voted for PACE and a three-year labour agreement was negotiated.
As the contract expired, local Imerys managers used US labour law to revert to their old form. With the three-year contract expiring in early 2004, they bombarded workers with blatant anti-union materials and rhetoric at home and at work.
"Since we have been through the first election and contract negotiations, we have attempted time and time again to build a strong work relationship with Imerys," said PACE Local 3/516 President Keith Fulbright. "Unfortunately, local management is still intent on destroying any relationship with their employees."
ICEM and its affiliates throughout the company's global operations will be closely following future developments in Sylacauga.
Imerys is a French-based producer of building and construction materials. PACE and ICEM took Imerys on in 1999-2000 when the firm purchased a non-union plant adjacent to its PACE-represented one in Sylacauga. The company claimed the combined workforce no longer wanted union representation and orchestrated a petition that allows the US government to conduct a "yes" or "no" vote. For the second time, workers have now voted for the union.
"It is unfortunate that Imerys has not changed its anti-union position," said PACE Vice President Don Langham, a member of ICEM's Presidium. "We are prepared to restart the global campaign unless the company's behavior changes."
PACE and ICEM successfully took on Imerys in 1999-2000 over local management's combined workforce scheme. The two labour unions brought the Alabama dispute before Imerys workers in France, Belgium, Australia and UK. The dispute became the focal point at the company's AGM in Paris. And prior to the June 2000 vote by workers, ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs visited Sylacauga and pledged to make "it so hot" for Imerys that it would want a "solution." The global pressure softened management's resolve, and workers became less burdened and more in tune with making a free and open-minded choice.
Workers then overwhelmingly voted for PACE and a three-year labour agreement was negotiated.
As the contract expired, local Imerys managers used US labour law to revert to their old form. With the three-year contract expiring in early 2004, they bombarded workers with blatant anti-union materials and rhetoric at home and at work.
"Since we have been through the first election and contract negotiations, we have attempted time and time again to build a strong work relationship with Imerys," said PACE Local 3/516 President Keith Fulbright. "Unfortunately, local management is still intent on destroying any relationship with their employees."
ICEM and its affiliates throughout the company's global operations will be closely following future developments in Sylacauga.