76 percent of Swedwood workers vote yes to union

Through a secret-ballot election on Wednesday, workers at Swedwood Danville declared they wanted a union.

Seventy-six percent of the hourly and production employees who voted supported joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Workers voted 221-69 for a union, according to a National Labor Relations Board release.

“That’s outrageous,” said union representative Bill Street in reaction to the numbers.

The National Labor Relations Board conducted the election and has yet to officially certify the machinists union as the employees’ bargaining representative, which could happen within the next 10 days, Street said. After that, workers will call a union meeting and request information to begin the bargaining process. They’ll decide what issues to focus on and will set a membership fee after voting for the first contract.

Now, Street hopes workers and Swedwood management can sit down, establish a dialogue and work out any issues as partners.

“As we have communicated from the start of this process, we fully supported the right of our co-workers to make this decision. We accept their decision and will work with their union in a mutually cooperative and respectful manner,” said Swedwood Site Manager Ken Brown in an emailed statement. “Swedwood’s position regarding union representation at all our facilities is that it is the right of every co-worker to decide if they want to become a member of a union or not.”

The machinists union tried for more than two years to get the Ikea furniture-maker to voluntarily recognize the union by showing signed cards of support. The union struggle garnered national and international attention as workers complained of short notice for mandatory overtime, unsafe working conditions and unfair treatment.

Street claimed that the local factory didn’t live up to Ikea’s standards. The Swedish home furnishings retail giant has a reputation for being socially and environmentally responsible.

Ikea and external auditors found the local plant followed Ikea’s code of conduct. The factory also passed a significant inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Wednesday night, workers celebrated the outcome of the election at the Holiday Inn Express on Riverside Drive.

Greg Chandler of South Boston, a forklift operator, had worked hard to get a union in the plant. With a union, he feels more secure.

“I got tired of all the favoritism,” Chandler said. “People see it. They just don’t speak up.”

Sharon Glenn of Danville didn’t have any problems at Swedwood, but voted to support her co-workers. She and Coretta Giles of Martinsville said they would like wages and raises to be the first issue addressed by the union. Secondly, the heat inside the plant is an issue.

“We do need someone to help us out and get the plant running the right way,” Glenn said.

“So we can have a voice,” Giles added. “So we can all be heard and have another leg we can stand on when we need to. I just thank Jesus.”

Lynn Jones of Danville, who worked there for about three years, hopes communication will improve between workers and management. He was satisfied with his job, but he knows many promises to other workers went unfulfilled, like getting a certain position or a raise. He believes that happier employees will result in better production and quality for Ikea.

Christopher Harper of Danville hopes wages improve with the union. He hopes Swedwood becomes a better place for workers.

“First for me, I’d like to give thanks to God,” Harper said. “He made it possible.”

Bozick reports for the Danville Register & Bee.