ANNISTON, Ala. - Employees at the Anniston-based
chemical weapons incinerator have voted not to join the International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers.
Workers rejected unionization by a vote of 182 to 82 in ballots
cast Sunday and Monday, according to the National Labor Relations Board,
which administered the vote.
The Army's Umatilla, Ore., incinerator is the only unionized
chemical demilitarization facility of eight nationwide.
IBEW and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices
of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry Local 498 would have represented
the majority of workers if employees had voted to join the union.
Jason Ashley, a control room operator who voted against the
initiative, told The Anniston Star plant workers are well paid and well taken
care of by management.
"The unions can't do anything for us," he said.
Ashley said workers had been required to attend meetings in
which consultants encouraged them to reject unionization, warning them about
lower wages and high dues under unions.
IBEW representative Rick Tira questioned why workers were
required to attend anti-union meetings while union organizers were not allowed
to enter the facility.
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Information from: The Anniston Star
