Workers at Laminated paper products in Linden, New Jersey, joined RWDSU Local 262 last year because they wanted a union voice and a say on the job. Now, the mostly Latino workforce of 40 are demanding a fair contract after a strike last week forced management to provide accurate information to RWDSU representatives.
Workers took to the picket lines last Monday after management had failed to bargain in good faith for months, continually providing union negotiators with false information about worker pay scales. Workers demanded that the owner, Mendel Schwimmer, hand over the correct information so bargaining can begin. After three days on strike, and with operations at the plant coming to a halt, workers agreed to return to work after the correct information was provided to RWDSU representatives.
It was a victory for the workers, who showed the strength of their new union voice. But the real celebration will come when workers have won their first union contract.
The workers won support of the community over the course of the strike, with Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, the Jewish Labor Committee, and RWDSU and UFCW locals among those coming out to support the strikers.
