Mechanics Local 701 in Courntryside, IL recently brought in 17 new members that work at Honda Superstore of Joliet, IL into the IAM fold.
The employees faced daily threats during the organizing campaign that started in September 2007. They were faced with negative handouts about Local 701 and the IAM at each weekly captive audience meeting that lasted until the vote was taken.
Our new members stood tall and voted to be represented by the IAM and Local 701 in November 2007. After 10 months of bargaining that ended with a 4 week strike, the members efforts were met with a 1st contract.
“It may not have been everything that we wanted in our 1st contract, but we now have the protection that we need and security of being represented by Local 701” was said by Jim, one of our new IAM members.
The owner also owns three other non-union facilities located in Lisle, Illinois. Local 701 will peruse those dealerships, hopefully with the help of “The Employee Free Choice Act” that will be signed by Barack Obama.
