Anniston incinerator workers reject union

This story was published Wed, Aug 11, 2004

By The Associated Press

ANNISTON, Ala. - Employees at the Anniston-based chemical weapons incinerator have voted not to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Workers rejected unionization by a vote of 182 to 82 in ballots cast Sunday and Monday, according to the National Labor Relations Board, which administered the vote.

The Army's Umatilla incinerator is the only unionized chemical demilitarization facility of eight nationwide.

IBEW and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry Local 498 would have represented the majority of workers if employees had voted to join the union.

Jason Ashley, a control room operator who voted against the initiative, told The Anniston Star plant workers are well paid and well taken care of by management.

"The unions can't do anything for us," he said.

Ashley said workers had been required to attend meetings in which consultants encouraged them to reject unionization.

 

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