Contact: John Paul Smith, Local 7-669, (c) 618.638.7894, jsmith@usw7-669.com
(Metropolis, Ill.) The United Steelworkers (USW) and USW Local 7-669 filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Nov. 10, 2014 concerning Honeywell Corp.’s lockout of its union members on Aug. 2, 2014.
The USW deems the lockout to be illegal and in violation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The union alleges Honeywell threatened to permanently replace its union workforce; illegally dealt directly with employees instead of bargaining with the union; and failed to respond to an information request from the union. Other alleged violations of the NLRA are the company’s announced unilateral change to benefits and repeated demonstrations of anti-union animus.
“After gathering information and talking to our members, we found it necessary to file charges with the Board,” said USW District 7 Director Mike Millsap. “Whenever our members are wronged and companies attempt to take advantage of and bully them, we will take action to protect their rights.”
The USW filed the charges with the Region 14 Director of the NLRB in St. Louis, Mo. The union will now wait for further action from the Board and will cooperate fully in the Board’s investigation.
The USW is the largest private-sector union in North America, representing 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, energy, chemicals, transportation, health care, security, hotels, and municipal governments.
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