News From USWA: U.S. Labor Board Certifies Union for Paulstra Workers in Ithaca, Mich.

    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--Sept. 13, 2002--News From USWA:

    Management Refuses to Recognize
    Results of Government-Supervised Election;
    Union Files Charges & Vows Public Campaign

    The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has certified the results of the successful union representation election at the Paulstra auto parts plant in Ithaca, Michigan, but the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) said today that Paulstra management still refuses to recognize the democratically-elected union.
    The Steelworkers have filed unfair labor practice charges against Paulstra management stemming from their refusal to recognize and bargain with union workers, and because of their refusal to allow workers at the newly organized plant to meet with their union representatives.
    With organizing assistance from union members at Paulstra's facility in Grand Rapids, the majority of workers at the 89-worker Ithaca plant voted to join the USWA on April 5 in an election supervised and certified by the NLRB.
    But despite this union victory, the Steelworkers say management refuses to meet and negotiate with Ithaca workers, preferring to use legal maneuvers to circumvent federal labor laws. Paulstra workers and supporters vow to conduct a campaign to expose corporate misconduct by the company until it abides by the law. Union workers and supporters conducted informational picketing at Paulstra corporate offices in Grand Rapids on July 26, and more actions will be forthcoming.
    Earnest Sallie, president of USWA Local 49 representing workers at Paulstra's Grand Rapids plant, said he's disappointed that the company chose to spend large amounts of money to employ anti-worker lawyers instead of respecting the democratic rights of workers. "Paulstra and their lawyers are trying to scare workers in Ithaca, but it will not work," said Sallie, a 24-year worker at the Grand Rapids plant. He said the company's motives were to "hoard the fruits of our labor for themselves."
    Paulstra's Ithaca plant produce anti-vibration motor and transmission mounts for the automobile industry.