GE Workers in Iowa Vote to Join CWA

General Electric workers at an Iowa switchgear plant voted Wednesday on IUE-CWA representation. But the results are still unknown, as the ballots have been impounded due to GE's attempt to pad the bargaining unit.

Last month, the National Labor Relations Board determined the voting unit should include 170 workers from seven departments (materials, fabrication, assembly, quality, facilities, environmental health and safety, and lean manufacturing) at the West Burlington factory. GE contested the decision, arguing that 27 more workers should be included in the balloting, and appealed the board's determination.

That means justice and union representation are on hold until the NLRB makes a determination. "It's enraging," Cohen said.

Just two years ago, the company threatened to close the plant, but production and maintenance workers agreed to drastic pay cuts to keep it running. Then, as an added incentive to stay, GE received thousands of dollars in financial support from local governments.

Workers want to set up a competitiveness and job growth committee, to work with the company on bringing new products and new jobs to the plant. They also want a health and safety committee to address concerns about working conditions, said Jeff Lacher of CWA.