Maryland IKEA Workers Win IAM Representation
January 19, 2012
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More than 350 employees at IKEA Distribution Center in Perryville, MD, voted by an overwhelming margin to join the IAM despite opposition from IKEA managers who hired Jackson-Lewis, the well-known union-busting law firm.
In the final days of the campaign, IKEA management engaged in tactics typically used in union-avoidance campaigns, including threats of job loss, surveillance of pro-union workers and other means to coerce employees to vote against union representation.
“The new IAM members were able to see through the scare tactics,” said District 4 District Business Representative Joe Flanders. “Inspired by the recent organizing success of their co-workers in Danville, VA, these workers were determined to be successful in their own efforts to organize. Thanks go out to Eastern Territory General Vice President Lynn D. Tucker, Jr., and his staff for their support on the ground during the campaign.”
The Danville, VA-based employees at Swedwood, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IKEA, voted to join the IAM last year.
“Congratulations and welcome to the new IAM members at IKEA,” said GVP Tucker. “This is a great victory for these workers, their families, District 4 and the IAM.”
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is expected to certify the election within ten days, at which point the IAM can begin to bargain for a first contract.
