Freightliner violates labour law

USA: The IMF-affiliated United Auto Workers has charged in a press statement that 48 hours before a union election on March 20 at a Freightliner truck parts plant in Gastonia, North Carolina, Freightliner management at the highest levels reversed its previously neutral stance toward the vote. Freightliner LLC, the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler. A spokesman for the union said that the company's conduct during the last two days before the vote "not only violated both the law and neutrality protections that DaimlerChrysler agreed to and reaffirmed in writing, but also stole from these workers the union rights and recognition they deserve." 322 workers voted in favour of UAW representation and 346 voted against. According to the UAW, workers at the Gastonia plant described how a top-level executive at Freightliner compelled the workers to attend meetings on company time and company premises at which he threatened them with loss of pay, benefits and jobs if the union were to be voted in. Additional group intimidation sessions were held less than 24 hours before voting was to begin, a flagrant violation of the National Labor Relations Act, which specifically prohibits such meetings within the 24 hours before voting begins. The UAW says that such behaviour by company executives can only have a bad impact on the union's entire relationship with DaimlerChrysler and will demand it be held accountable for the actions of its managers.