Workers at Major Parts Plant in Chicago Win Their Union, Vote Overwhelmingly to Join the UAW

CHICAGO — Workers at Flex-N-Gate have voted overwhelmingly to form a union with the United Auto Workers (UAW). In the election, held yesterday and today, the 370 workers at the auto parts manufacturer in Chicago overcame an aggressive anti-union campaign by the company that included threats, intimidation and even firings of union supporters.

Flex-N-Gate is a major parts supplier for Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant. The net worth of Flex-N-Gate owner Shahid Khan is $13.3 billion, but Flex-N-Gate workers in Chicago make as little as $17.50 an hour, far below the starting wage of $25.12 for UAW production workers at Ford.

“The workers of Flex-N-Gate just proved that no power on earth is stronger than solidarity—not even the Billionaire’s Club when the working class stands up together,” said UAW Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell. “Management at Flex-N-Gate tried again and again to shut down the workers’ fight for a union, but they stood up together and won their union voice. We are proud to welcome them to the UAW family and we are going to work night and day with them to win the strong first contract they deserve.”

The Chicago Flex-N-Gate workers voted 195-to-126 to join the UAW. There were also 29 challenged ballots, but that is too few to affect the outcome of the vote.

The workers of the Flex-N-Gate organizing committee issued the following joint statement: “It’s a brand-new day at Flex-N-Gate. We have won our union and we have won respect. Already, we have a powerful voice at our plant, and now we’ll begin working to win the fair pay, the good benefits and the time off with our families that every worker deserves.”

The UAW represents workers at eight other Flex-N-Gate and Ventra parts plants owned by Khan. UAW members at the Ventra plant in Sandusky, Ohio, won a strong new contract this summer with substantial raises and benefit improvements.