August 6, 2009 - Ivory Leathers, Inc. (ILI Clothing) is a small company in West Fargo, ND, that turns out high-quality motorcycle apparel while providing an outstanding example of a labor-management relationship that serves workers, owners and customers alike.
Recently organized by IAM District 5, the workers at Ivory Leathers won a three percent pay raise, increases to their vacation benefits and participation in the IAM National Pension Plan. What made the organizing drive and negotiations unique was the support from ILI owners, Ruth and Gene Schepp.
“We believe that by employees being able to have a union, it keeps the owners of the company accountable to its workers,” said Ruth Schepp, who opened Ivory Leathers in 1993 and shares ownership responsibilities with husband Gene, a 34-year member of Local 2525 who is employed at the Case-New Holland tractor plant in Fargo.
Never shy about expressing herself, Ruth openly supports the Employee Free Choice Act. “Employers and workers need to work together for the mutual benefit of both parties and the fairest way to do that is to allow workers to form unions if they choose to, without employer interference,” says Schepp.
Health care is also a concern for the Schepp’s and their workers. “Health insurance has become unaffordable and needs reform,” stated Gene Schepp. “Health care in America needs to be a right, not a privilege and until we get to that point, the health care crisis will not improve.”
Unlike companies that responded to the economic downturn by cutting jobs, slashing benefits and reducing the quality of their products, Ivory Leathers is charting a different course. “Ivory Leathers is making the sacrifices to make sure that we keep our workers employed,” declared Ruth Schepp. “We’re going to weather the recession storm by promoting USA-made, union-made products and standing by the pride and quality that comes with producing them.”
In addition to motorcycle apparel, the IAM members at Ivory Leathers manufacture cloth jackets, work wear, team apparel and construction/safety gear. For more information or to order from their catalog, visit http://www.iliclothing.com or call 1-800-44-IVORY.
