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11 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 11/1998
An American union has won a recognition vote at plastics manufacturer DSM Polymer - with the active involvement of a Dutch union.
Both the American union OCAW and the Dutch union FNV Bondgenoten are affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions. DSM Polymer is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dutch-based multinational DSM.
In fact, this was the second union election at the plastics plant in Wytheville, Virginia. Back in January 1996, the workers there had already voted for the OCAW to represent them. But management refused to recognise the result of the first election. In more than 30 negotiating sessions, the company made only minor concessions. Management offered contract [collective agreement] provisions below the existing ones in order to keep the union from securing a contract.
FNV Bondgenoten, which organises DSM workers in the Netherlands, was directly involved in the second election campaign at the US plant. In December, Dutch trade unionists travelled to Wytheville to investigate OCAW charges that DSM had engaged in union-busting there. And last week, just before the vote, another Dutch delegation visited the plant to talk to the workers about the importance of trade unions.
The Bondgenoten's efforts helped to clinch the US ballot, the OCAW believes. Robert Wages, OCAW President and a member of the ICEM Executive, said the direct involvement of Dutch trade unionists in the election "is unprecedented and signals a growing awareness of the necessity for unions to work together in the global economy."
"We extend our deep and profound appreciation to our Dutch brothers and sisters and congratulate the workers in Wytheville who have waged a long and bitter struggle for economic justice and worker rights," Wages declared.
And Bondgenoten representative Henk Walravens commented: "Both Dutch and American workers have sent a strong message to the DSM Board of Directors in the Netherlands that it is time to settle long-standing differences and negotiate fairly with OCAW and its workers."
The workers' vote "has decided the question of representation," emphasised OCAW International Representative Steve Gentry, who coordinated the two-year campaign. Now, he said, "we can move on to develop a constructive collective bargaining relationship benefiting both the company and the workers."
Both the American union OCAW and the Dutch union FNV Bondgenoten are affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions. DSM Polymer is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dutch-based multinational DSM.
In fact, this was the second union election at the plastics plant in Wytheville, Virginia. Back in January 1996, the workers there had already voted for the OCAW to represent them. But management refused to recognise the result of the first election. In more than 30 negotiating sessions, the company made only minor concessions. Management offered contract [collective agreement] provisions below the existing ones in order to keep the union from securing a contract.
FNV Bondgenoten, which organises DSM workers in the Netherlands, was directly involved in the second election campaign at the US plant. In December, Dutch trade unionists travelled to Wytheville to investigate OCAW charges that DSM had engaged in union-busting there. And last week, just before the vote, another Dutch delegation visited the plant to talk to the workers about the importance of trade unions.
The Bondgenoten's efforts helped to clinch the US ballot, the OCAW believes. Robert Wages, OCAW President and a member of the ICEM Executive, said the direct involvement of Dutch trade unionists in the election "is unprecedented and signals a growing awareness of the necessity for unions to work together in the global economy."
"We extend our deep and profound appreciation to our Dutch brothers and sisters and congratulate the workers in Wytheville who have waged a long and bitter struggle for economic justice and worker rights," Wages declared.
And Bondgenoten representative Henk Walravens commented: "Both Dutch and American workers have sent a strong message to the DSM Board of Directors in the Netherlands that it is time to settle long-standing differences and negotiate fairly with OCAW and its workers."
The workers' vote "has decided the question of representation," emphasised OCAW International Representative Steve Gentry, who coordinated the two-year campaign. Now, he said, "we can move on to develop a constructive collective bargaining relationship benefiting both the company and the workers."