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New York Local Scores Big for CWA at New Era Cap Co.
CWA Local 14177 successfully beat back an attempt by an independent union to reclaim representation rights at the New Era Cap Co.’s Derby, N.Y., plant by a vote of 290 for CWA, 77 for the independent and one for “no union.”
The landslide victory Oct. 20 came as the local bargains its first CWA contract with New Era, the manufacturer of all caps worn on the field in Major League Baseball. New Era also makes caps liscensed by the NFL, the NBA and other sports.
Local 14177 was created in July 1997 when members of the formerly independent union voted 167-141 to affiliate with CWA. The significantly higher vote count for CWA in the recent NLRB election is a resounding victory for the local.
“We’re extremely happy we’ve got this election behind us,” said Bill Boarman, president of CWA’s Printing, Publishing and Media Workers Sector. “I can’t say enough about the hard work of the local’s officers and staff that resulted in our winning. Now it’s time to move forward on a contract.”
Since affiliating with CWA, Local 14177 has worked under a five-year contract bargained by the independent union. That pact, originally set to expire Oct. 15, has been extended to Dec. 1 to allow bargaining to continue.
Al Rudy, assistant to Boarman, said Hunter Phillips, administrative assistant to sector president, and Dan Wasser, new staff representative, have worked closely with the local. Both serve on the bargaining committee along with Local 14177 President Jane Howald and other local officers.
Major improvements in medical coverage, safety and health practices, pensions and seniority system are key bargaining issues, Phillips said.
Members refused to be intimidated by the company’s layoff of 90 workers. “We knew with the World Series coming up that they would be brought back,” Howald said.
“We constantly reached out to people, one-on-one,” she said, praising the work of stewards on the shop floor who mobilized the local’s nearly 600 members to stick with CWA, and third-shift stewards who conducted a phone-banking campaign to hold the local together. “People are a lot more aware of the rights they have with the union.”
Members put a sea of red out at the plant, wearing red shirts to work, a practice they are continuing every Tuesday as a sign of solidarity until bargaining is concluded.
“Half the battle was won Friday, with the election,” Howald said. “The other half is at the bargaining table. I think the company realizes, now, that we’re not going to go away.”
The landslide victory Oct. 20 came as the local bargains its first CWA contract with New Era, the manufacturer of all caps worn on the field in Major League Baseball. New Era also makes caps liscensed by the NFL, the NBA and other sports.
Local 14177 was created in July 1997 when members of the formerly independent union voted 167-141 to affiliate with CWA. The significantly higher vote count for CWA in the recent NLRB election is a resounding victory for the local.
“We’re extremely happy we’ve got this election behind us,” said Bill Boarman, president of CWA’s Printing, Publishing and Media Workers Sector. “I can’t say enough about the hard work of the local’s officers and staff that resulted in our winning. Now it’s time to move forward on a contract.”
Since affiliating with CWA, Local 14177 has worked under a five-year contract bargained by the independent union. That pact, originally set to expire Oct. 15, has been extended to Dec. 1 to allow bargaining to continue.
Al Rudy, assistant to Boarman, said Hunter Phillips, administrative assistant to sector president, and Dan Wasser, new staff representative, have worked closely with the local. Both serve on the bargaining committee along with Local 14177 President Jane Howald and other local officers.
Major improvements in medical coverage, safety and health practices, pensions and seniority system are key bargaining issues, Phillips said.
Members refused to be intimidated by the company’s layoff of 90 workers. “We knew with the World Series coming up that they would be brought back,” Howald said.
“We constantly reached out to people, one-on-one,” she said, praising the work of stewards on the shop floor who mobilized the local’s nearly 600 members to stick with CWA, and third-shift stewards who conducted a phone-banking campaign to hold the local together. “People are a lot more aware of the rights they have with the union.”
Members put a sea of red out at the plant, wearing red shirts to work, a practice they are continuing every Tuesday as a sign of solidarity until bargaining is concluded.
“Half the battle was won Friday, with the election,” Howald said. “The other half is at the bargaining table. I think the company realizes, now, that we’re not going to go away.”