We're Taking a Stand: ‘We Found a Boldness and Courage We Didn’t Know We Had’

Leaders from workers' inside organizing committee at New Era cap company in Demopolis, Ala., said the company's decision to remain neutral during the union election made their new union possible. From left is Alma Null, president; Ruth Dill vice president; Laurie Fendley, treasurer, and Linda Davis, all of Local 3965.

CWA and New Era Cap Company have shown that workers can and will choose union representation when the fear of management retaliation and a corporate campaign of harassment is removed.

Last April, workers at the New Era plant in Demopolis, Alabama, upset over harsh attendance policies and work assignments based on favoritism, overwhelmingly chose CWA representation. An election was held, with 75 percent of the 354 workers voting to CWA.

But this election was only possible because top management at New Era's headquarters in Derby, New York, agreed to remain neutral throughout the workers' organizing drive.

That's a big difference from the management intimidation that has become nearly universal when workers try to have a union voice today. And that's why the Employee Free Choice Act is critical to workers who want to join together to improve their wages, working conditions and economic futures.

"We found a boldness and courage that we didn't know we had," said Alma Null and Laurie Fendley, two of the leaders of the workers' organizing committee and now the president and treasurer of CWA Local 3965. "It has been a great experience and a cause that we have come to believe in," they explained. The workers approved their first contract in October.

New Era is the official maker of caps for professional sports teams — Major League Baseball, the NBA, National Hockey League and numerous colleges.

The Employee Free Choice Act will enable workers to experience that same degree of boldness, courage and accomplishment that New Era workers in Demopolis achieved, by giving workers the same options for choosing union representation that management has used for decades.