USW Welcomes New Members in the Chemical Sector

The USW strengthened its presence in the chemical sector last week, welcoming more than two hundred new members at two companies—Dow in California and Kraton in Ohio.

At Kraton’s Belpre, Ohio, facility, longtime worker Brandon Burnfield reached out to the USW after enduring a decade of mounting challenges at the polymer supplier. The final blow came when the company froze pensions and eliminated Sunday premiums and double-time pay.

“That was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said Burnfield, who has worked at Kraton for 15 years.

The 200 workers at the facility—mechanics, instrument technicians, operators, and more—filed for a union election. In late September, they voted overwhelmingly to join the USW.

“I want the plant to thrive, but I also want us to be treated fairly,” Burnfield said. “We are the commodity there, and I look forward to bargaining a first fair contract.”

This victory follows another success in the chemical sector, where 24 workers at Dow in Hayward, Calif., voted nearly unanimously to join the USW.

The Dow workers, who produce Behr paint and serve as operators, maintenance staff, and warehouse workers, said they are eager to gain more structure, consistency, and balance in their workplace.

“The fact that the union has a Dow Chemical Council was a big draw for us,” said Joe Daniel, who’s worked as an operator at the facility for 15 years. “It’s great to have the support.”

“We are proud to welcome these workers at Kraton and Dow into our USW family,” said International Secretary-Treasurer Myles Sullivan, who leads bargaining in the chemical sector. “Their courage and solidarity made these victories possible, and I want to thank everyone who stood together throughout these campaigns. We look forward to supporting them as they bargain fair first contracts that reflect the respect and dignity they deserve.”