Just a little over two weeks ago, we told you about workers who were organizing a beryllium producing facility in Ohio. Unfortunately, despite widespread enthusiasm at the outset, the effort ultimately failed after Materion forced workers into mandatory company meetings where union-busting consultants bullied and threatened them.
John Tate, one of the organizers who works in research and development at the plant, noticed a huge difference in support after the company brought in the hired-gun “union-avoidance” consultants and forced about 440 workers to attend multiple anti-union meetings. The consultants belittled workers — even questioned their intelligence for wanting to join a union —during meetings that lasted two to four hours.
Pictured: John Tate, a Materion worker and organizer stands in front of a plant gate rally to encourage his coworkers to vote yes on January 15, 2020.
“It was rough to watch,” Tate said.
This is just one reason the PRO Act is so badly needed. This bill would:
- Penalize employers who violate workers’ right to organize.
- Help workers secure a first contract.
- Protect workers who go on strike.
- Close loopholes that allow companies to misclassify workers as independent contractors.
We need your calls!
If you have already made a call to your Representative – thank you! Please get a coworker and family member to make one also. If you haven’t made that call yet – please do – it just takes a moment to make a big difference!
- Dial our toll-free number to the U.S. House: 866-202-5409. You will be automatically routed to your Representative’s office.
- Tell the office who you are, where you are from, and ask your Representative to VOTE YES on the PRO Act (H.R. 2474).
