Engineers (white collar) Join IFPTE, Show How Employee Free Choice Act Would Work

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/04/04/engineers-join-ifpte-show-how-employee-free-choice-act-would-work/

by James Parks, Apr 4, 2008

Here’s another great example of how the Employee Free Choice Act, if enacted, would help workers freely choose a union. Hundreds of workers have joined the Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC)/International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 20 because of contract language the union negotiated with its largest employer. That language offers workers’ protections against employer harassment similar to provisions in the Employee Free Choice Act.



In 2005, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) agreed to remain neutral and not interfere if employees wanted to form a union. Since the agreement was signed, the company’s white-collar workers have continually chosen union representation when given the opportunity. In a simple one-step process, if a majority of workers sign cards saying they want a union, the union is recognized.

The latest group to join Local 20 is the 162 nuclear engineers at PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant, who chose the union by a margin of more than two-to-one on April 2.

Local 20 President Major Norton Jr. says the victory is important for white-collar workers everywhere:

This is a major victory, not just for the engineers at the plant, but for all the professional employees at PG&E and I would even say, for engineers and white-collar workers everywhere. One of the biggest issues for this group was their concern that they be protected and feel secure in giving their honest professional opinion on technical issues. You can see how that is doubly important in the nuclear work environment. We are proving that joining aunion makes a white-collar employee more professional, not less.

FULL story at link.

[NMDemDist2]

1. totally off topic, but I thought you'd enjoy

Hubby got home from shift work this morning, he passed his 90 day mark 4/2 and on his desk last night was a wallet card from the Union.

he said to me "If they're gonna yell at me, they have to have a Union Rep present"

:rofl:

"huh?" says I

"Yeah, the card says don't answer any questions and they can't yell at me with out a shop steward present"

It's his first experience with being in a Union, I see a major learning curve ahead....

:hi:

[Omaha Steve]

2. "Weingarten Decision" it's the law

http://www.pscoa.org/legal/weingarten.pdf

http://www.ibew10th.org/weingart.htm

There are still laws to protect workers. :-)

[NMDemDist2]

3. yup, that's what he was talking about

:yourock: