A rapid sequence of wins in the automotive sector has brought new IAM members to a pair of local lodges in District 190, which has a long history of organizing prowess.
Among the new members are a group of eight service writers and dispatchers at Winter Chevrolet-Honda in Pittsburg, CA, who will join IAM Local 1173. “Congratulations go out to Business Representative Rick Rodgers and the whole organizing team at Local 1173 for their most recent win,” said Western Territory GVP Gary Allen. “This is the fifth organizing win for Local 1173 in 2010.”
In addition to the win for Local 1173, District 190 recently prevailed in their battle with Penske Automotive Group (PAG) for the right to represent the auto techs at Mercedes-Benz’ San Diego location.
“This campaign had a little of everything, several anti-union consultants and many of the top brass from PAG – including an appearance by the legendary Roger Penske himself,” said District 190 Organizing Director Jesse Juarez. “They tried every trick in the book, including offering raises during the campaign.”
District 725 in Huntington Beach, CA also reported a victory in a campaign to represent employees at DS-2, located at MCAS Miramar in San Diego. The nearly unanimous vote for the IAM was a clear rebuke of the company’s anti-union campaign, including illegal, captive-audience meetings within 24 hours of the election. In New Mexico, DBR Bud Duryea has delivered a win for unaffiliated Local Lodge 2515, bringing the IAM to a new Service Contract unit at Defense Support Services at Fort Bliss, TX.
“This may be the breakthrough we have been looking for in the Southern California automotive sector,” said GVP Allen. ”It was a pleasure to see our District Lodges in Northern and Southern California working together for the good of the Penske techs and the good of the IAM.”
