Posts Categorized: RWDSU

Chemical workers at Axiall Corp.’s plant in Longview, Wash., have voted in overwhelming numbers to join ICWUC/UFCW Local 747. Axiall employees first approached the union several months ago about having a voice on the job. There are about 40 workers at the plant. Their priorities for their first contract include more transparent work rules and improved job benefits. Workers are now in the process of choosing representatives for a bargaining committee before contract negotiations start. About 80 workers from the nearby Emerald Kalama Chemical are also members of the local and will be able to help support Axiall workers during bargaining.

“This is what labor is all about.  We are always stronger and can serve our members better when our numbers are greater,” said Frank Cyphers, President of the ICWUC/UFCW.

Axiall Corp. is a chlorine vinyl chemicals manufacturer and has 6,000 employees spread across four countries. Workers at at least two of its plants, one in Louisiana and one in Virginia, are already are part of a union.

More than 200 workers at the H&M store at Herald Square in New York City voted to join RWDSU Local 1102. The newly opened store is the largest H&M in the United States. Workers came together to have a union voice on the job because they know that the best way to ensure good schedules, fair wages, and decent benefits is through a union contract. Many of the workers at the Herald Square store are union members that came from other H&M stores.

Contract negotiations for the Herald Square H&M will be part of the RWDSU H&M chain negotiations that include several other Manhattan locations.