Drug Delivery Workers Organize in New Jersey

Medications that arrive on time can save a life, and the drivers and dispatchers employed by IBA Molecular are proud of what they do, delivering pharmaceuticals to hospitals. They're also proud to be union. They voted 21-18 in an NLRB election to bring their unit of 43 into CWA Local 1032, Ewing, N.J.

Local Organizer Mikki Santiago worked with the organizing committee, helping them overcome a classic anti union campaign, complete with captive audience meetings.

Said Local 1032 President Jim Marketti, "The employer attempted to intimidate the employees with the threat that if they unionized, a strike would occur. We thought that was peculiar since it was the employer talking about a strike and not the employees. I guess we know what the employer is really afraid of."

The workers' campaign was built upon the desire for better pay and benefits and respect. It was their third attempt to organize.  Said Marketti, "Their previous attempts never got as far as an NLRB election; they fell apart. This time they held together."