Tag Archive for: unfair labor practice

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US District Court Issues Rare Injunction Against Automaker Lucid for Firing Union Supporters

Click here to read the summary of the injunction that the court ordered Lucid to read to employees in the Casa Grande factory.

 

The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona issued a temporary injunction Friday against the automaker Lucid and ordered it to reinstate two employees fired during an ongoing union drive.

The rare 10(j) injunction stems from unfair labor practice (ULP) charges that the UAW filed with the National Labor Relations Board over the firing of Lucid workers Amie Begay and Chad Brewer in early 2023. Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act allows the Board to request temporary injunctions from federal district courts to stop serious ULPs while a case moves through the Board’s process. The Board found merit to the UAW’s charges that the company had fired Begay and Brewer for their union activity and sought the injunction from the court.

One human resources official at Lucid wrote in an email that she would do “anything” to end the workers’ union drive.

“Lucid management said they would do anything to stop us from winning our union. Yesterday’s decision shows we’re not going to be stopped,” said Lucid worker Chad Brewer. “The court has called out Lucid for their outrageous conduct and protected our right to form our union. The company tried to silence us, but they have made our voice even stronger.”

“Workers at Lucid, and autoworkers everywhere, won justice yesterday,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This decision tells rogue employers like Lucid that they won’t get away with attacking workers. The union-busting bullies of corporate America need to understand it’s a new day. Autoworkers are not going to be intimidated anymore. They are fed up and they are fired up. They are standing up to win their union and the UAW has their back.”

“This decision reaffirms that workers at electric-vehicle makers like Lucid have the right to form unions and win justice on the job,” said UAW Region 6 Director Mike Miller. “Our nation is investing billions in the EV industry. Our investment in the climate economy shouldn’t shortchange climate workers. We need to make sure that the green economy is a just economy.”

The court’s decision to issue the 10(j) injunction indicates the severity of the ULP charges against Lucid and their chilling impact on the workers’ organizing efforts. The NLRB petitioned for just seven 10(j) injunctions nationwide in 2023.

The ULP against Lucid includes charges that Lucid: fired Brewer and Begay for their union support; surveilled them; confiscated union literature; solicited grievances from potential union supporters; and offered a supervisory position to Begay to encourage her to abandon her efforts. (Begay’s last name was Hansen in early 2023, but she married in Oct. 2023 and changed it.)

The court agreed with the Board that the injunction against Lucid was necessary “to prevent irreparable harm to employees’ rights and the Board’s remedial powers.” While the Board further adjudicates the ULP against Lucid, the court has ordered the company to offer interim reinstatement to Begay and Brewer, enjoined the company from making any further violations, and to publicly post and read the court’s order to employees.

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UAW Delegation to Germany to Confront Union-Busting at Webasto

Detroit, MI – UAW announced today that a delegation of UAW leaders will bring major concerns about illegal anti-union behavior at Webasto, a German parts supplier with plants in the Detroit area, to counterparts in Germany at a meeting scheduled for next week. The delegation comes after Webasto workers had previously filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board. UAW also says that it is actively considering whether to file an additional complaint in German Court if Webasto’s illegal anti-union activities do not stop.

“We’re just asking for Webasto to respect our basic rights,” said Isaiah Towns, who works in Webasto – Detroit’s Bonding department. “No one should have to go through what Webasto has been subjecting us to. It’s time for the threats, harassment, and bullying to stop.”

A clear majority of the approximately 600 workers at Webasto – Detroit had previously filed for their union election in late July. The election has been scheduled for September 9 and 10. Workers at the plant report facing excessive anti-union harassment and intimidation from Webasto management. The factory makes the roof top used on the Ford Broncos manufactured by UAW members at the Michigan Assembly Plant. Webasto has distributed anti-union literature with the Ford Bronco logo prominently displayed along with the message “No Bucking Union.”

“This company needs to be held accountable,” said Pelle Burnett, who works in Webasto – Detroit’s PU department. “Webasto has shown that they will go to any length to stop us from winning the right to bargain collectively together. Even though we haven’t won our union yet, we’re still ready to Stand Up to make this unacceptable behavior stop.”

Among other examples of anti-union activity, workers say Webasto has:

  • Disciplined, isolated, intimidated, and terminated workers in retaliation for their union support
  • Changed policy to require workers to get permission before using the bathroom and then prevented a union supporter from using the bathroom for two hours
  • Required workers to attend captive audience meetings
  • Used video cameras to surveil union activity
  • Maintained an unlawful rulebook

An Unfair Labor Practice charge filed with the NLRB noted 17 separate instances of unlawful conduct committed by Webasto managers at the time of the filing. The National Labor Relations Board is actively investigating the charge.

In addition to Webasto’s obligations under American law, if the company is found to be in violation of German law, they could face serious financial sanctions.

An LM-10 filed with the U.S. Department of Labor revealed that Webasto previously paid over $300,000 to an anti-union consulting firm to try to persuade workers at the Webasto-Pilot Road plant against forming a union with the UAW. Ultimately, those workers were able to overcome the anti-union campaign and win a first contract that included raises of up to 51% over three years, better benefits, and improved attendance policies.

In addition to the election at Webasto – Detroit, a clear majority of the approximately 35 workers at Webasto’s Hearns facility filed to form their union on August 27 with the UAW. An election date is in the process of being scheduled.

“Workers want a voice. Workers want to be able to have a free and fair election. Workers want to have their rights respected,” said Steve Gonzales, president of UAW Local 3000. “And we will never back down in making sure that workers win what they deserve.”

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UAW Files Seven Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against Cornell University Amid Contract Talks

ITHACA — Over the past few weeks, the UAW has filed seven separate unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Cornell University, citing violations of workers’ rights and federal labor laws amid ongoing contract negotiations. The agreement, covering more than 1,200 workers, expired at midnight on Sunday, June 30.

In response to these charges, UAW Local 2300 President Christine Johnson stated, “Our members are the backbone of Cornell, yet the administration thinks it can divide us and intimidate us by distributing union busting talking points to managers and stomping on our rights. These unfair labor practice charges are a necessary step to keep Cornell in check. Instead of breaking our union, Cornell should be focused on negotiating a record contract without violating the law.”

The charges filed with the NLRB cite various violations by Cornell University, including but not limited to: 

Retaliation Against Union Activities: The UAW asserts that Cornell University has engaged in retaliatory actions against workers who have participated in union activities or expressed support for the union.

Interference with Workers’ Rights: The UAW claims that Cornell University has unlawfully interfered with workers’ rights to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in other concerted activities for mutual aid and protection.

Discrimination Against Union Members: The charges cite discriminatory treatment against workers based on their union membership or activities.

Failure to Bargain in Good Faith: The UAW contends that Cornell University has failed to bargain in good faith with the union regarding wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Cornell workers are demanding an agreement that reflects wealth Cornell has amassed and  includes the long overdue fair wages and working conditions workers deserve.

The membership, made up of maintenance and facilities workers, dining workers, gardeners, custodians, transportation workers and others, are facing declining real wages even as Cornell’s endowment has ballooned and tuition revenue has skyrocketed. Over the past four years, Cornell’s endowment has soared 39% to nearly $10 billion and tuition has increased 13% – all while workers’ buying power has fallen 5%.

On the heels of the UAW’s historic Stand Up Strike and record contracts with the Big Three automakers, and as tens of thousands of workers across the country continue organizing to join the UAW, workers at Cornell University are standing up for fair pay, cost of living adjustments (COLA), and a better future for the working class. 

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UAW Files Four Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against Daimler Truck Amid Contract Talks

CHARLOTTE — On Tuesday, April 23, the UAW filed four separate unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Daimler Truck, citing violations of workers’ rights and federal labor laws amid ongoing contract negotiations. The agreement, covering more than 7,300 workers at plants in North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, expires at midnight on Friday, April 26.

In response to these charges, UAW DTNA Council President Kenny Dellinger stated, “Daimler Truck thinks it can intimidate us by trampling on our rights. These unfair labor practice charges are a necessary step. It’s time for Daimler Truck to get serious about negotiating a record contract without violating the law.” 

The charges filed with the NLRB cite various violations by Daimler Truck, including but not limited to: 

  • Retaliation Against Union Activities: The UAW asserts that Daimler Truck has engaged in retaliatory actions against workers who have participated in union activities or expressed support for the union.
  • Interference with Workers’ Rights: The UAW claims that Daimler Truck has unlawfully interfered with workers’ rights to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in other concerted activities for mutual aid and protection.
  • Discrimination Against Union Members: The charges cite discriminatory treatment against workers based on their union membership or activities.
  • Failure to Bargain in Good Faith: The UAW contends that Daimler Truck has failed to bargain in good faith with the union regarding wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Daimler Truck workers are demanding an agreement that reflects the record profits the company has garnered and includes the long overdue fair wages and working conditions workers deserve.  

The workers who build Freightliner trucks, Western Star trucks, and Thomas Built Buses are facing declining real wages and job security even as Daimler Truck tallies record profits and makes massive payouts to shareholders. Over the past six years, Daimler’s profits have increased by 90% while workers’ buying power has fallen 13%.  

On the heels of the UAW’s historic Stand Up Strike and record contracts with the Big Three automakers, and as tens of thousands of workers across the country continue organizing to join the UAW, Daimler workers are standing up for equal pay for equal work, cost of living adjustments (COLA), job security and a better future for the working class. 

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Volkswagen Workers, Faith Coalition, and UAW President Shawn Fain to Visit Chattanooga Plant to Demand VW Stop Union-Busting; Union Files New Federal Labor Charges Against Unlawful VW Policies

Chattanooga, Tenn. — At noon on Monday, December 18th, UAW President Shawn Fain will accompany a delegation of Volkswagen workers and community and faith leaders to deliver a letter to Volkswagen management demanding the company end its union-busting and intimidation, as workers organize to join the UAW. 

“These workers at your plant are our neighbors, congregants, family, and friends, and we applaud them for having the courage to demand better for themselves and our community,” reads the letter from CALEB (Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality and Benevolence), a community and faith coalition advocating for economic justice in Chattanooga. “However, we are deeply concerned by the stories Chattanooga workers have shared with us regarding Volkswagen’s efforts to stop them—in some cases illegally—from exercising their rights.” 
 
On Monday, December 11, Volkswagen workers filed federal unfair labor practice charges against Volkswagen for illegally intimidating, interfering with, and spying on pro-union workers. 

Today, VW workers are filing another federal labor charge against the company for unlawful company policies concerning social media, dress code, and flyering that have a chilling effect on workers’ rights to stand up and speak out publicly about their working conditions and the need to unionize. 

Volkswagen’s illegal actions come on the heels of the UAW announcing that well over 1,000 workers, making up over 30 percent of the Chattanooga plant, have signed union cards as part of a national movement of non-union autoworkers organizing to join the UAW in the wake of the union’s record contract victories at Ford, GM, and Stellantis. 

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Workers at Honda, Hyundai and VW Stand Up to Management Intimidation, File Unfair Labor Practice Charges

In the face of aggressive anti-union campaigns, workers organizing with the UAW at Honda in Indiana, Hyundai in Alabama, and Volkswagen in Tennessee, have filed charges against management for illegally union-busting as workers organize to join the UAW.

“We are filing an unfair labor practice charge against Honda because of management illegally telling us to remove union stickers from our hats, and for basically threatening us with write-ups,” says Honda worker Josh Cupit in a new video released by More Perfect Union. “It’s essentially to show Honda that we know what our rights are and that they’re not gonna bully us and we’re not gonna back down from ’em. And we know that they are in the wrong.”

“These companies are breaking the law in an attempt to get autoworkers to sit down and shut up instead of fighting for their fair share,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “But these workers are showing management that they won’t be intimidated out of their right to speak up and organize for a better life. From Honda to Hyundai to Volkswagen and beyond, we’ve got their back. The auto industry’s record profits should mean record contracts for these workers, too.”

Fain will meet with thousands of non-union autoworkers on Facebook Live tonight at 5 p.m. ET. The media is invited to access the livestream at the UAW’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. 

Honda workers report being targeted and surveilled by management for pro-union activity at the company’s Indiana Auto Plant in Greensburg, Indiana. Hundreds of workers at the facility have signed union cards and are organizing to join the UAW.

At Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tenn., plant, well over 1,000 workers signed union cards in less than a week, and hundreds more continue to sign up. Management has harassed and threatened workers for talking about the union; confiscated and destroyed pro-union materials in the break room; attempted to intimidate and illegally silence pro-union workers; and has attempted to illegally prohibit workers from distributing union literature and discussing union issues in non-work areas on non-work time. Volkswagen has made public claims of “official neutrality” in past union efforts while aggressively pushing an anti-union message in forced meetings and internal literature.

On Thursday, Dec. 7, at an early morning shift change, security guards stopped a group of Volkswagen union supporters from distributing flyers to their coworkers at Gate 3.

“We’ve done hand billing at that gate before and the company has never done anything like this,” said Dave Gleeson, a production team member in finish and repair. “We were just getting ready to hand out flyers and security came up and told us we couldn’t. I asked if this was his decision, and he said no, this is coming from way over my head. Our campaign caught the company completely flat-footed, and they overreacted. We’re not going to be intimidated. We know our rights and we’re going to keep standing up and keep speaking out.”

At Hyundai’s Montgomery, Alabama plant, management has unlawfully confiscated, destroyed, and prohibited pro-union materials in non-work areas during non-work times. Hundreds of workers continue to sign up to win their union despite this illegal interference and intimidation.

Beverly McCall, a team member in engine assembly at the Hyundai plant, was in the parking lot passing out union leaflets on non-work time when a manager told her to stop. “The manager came up and told me you can’t be out here doing that,” said McCall. “I just kept right on doing what I was doing. We have every right to get the word out and they can’t stop us.”

Tim Cripple, a team member in engine assembly at Hyundai, was in a break room and had a few union leaflets on the table in front of him. “A group leader came in and called team relations on the phone,” said Cripple. “They said you can’t have them in here and the group leader threw them in the trash. At the same time, they have someone from the company sitting in the cafeteria handing out anti-union t-shirts and flyers. That’s just wrong, and we are not going to be silenced.”

The board charges are a defiant response to low-road behavior that is typical of the worst actors in anti-union coercion campaigns. Organizing a union free from management interference or threats is a federally protected right that is indispensable to a democratic, free society.

Thousands of non-union autoworkers across the country have launched campaigns to organize more than a dozen automakers across the country, building off the historic success of the UAW’s Stand Up Strike at the Big Three. To learn more, and to join the campaign, workers can go to UAW.org/join.

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