UAW Prepares New Organizing Drive

by Jeff Gilbert
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter

Interview: UAW President Bob King talks about organizing effort.

The United Auto Workers Union is poised to begin a major campaign to organize factories—mostly in the southeastern states—owned by foreign auto companies.

"We have sent letters to all the manufacturers, auto industry assemblers in the U.S. saying that we think a pro-active, positive relationship is good for the workers, good for the company and good for the UAW," said union President Bob King.

The union's new effort first reported by Automotive News.

King telling WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert that the union's executive board has unanimously approved a set of principals for organizing auto plants, that he wishes the companies to sign.  He hopes to show the companies that it would be in everybody's interest to agree to the principals.

"When they sign the principals, they are guaranteed a short election process," he said.  "In the current NLRB system, workers get tremendously polarized.  There are hard feelings left in the workplace, in some cases for years."

The union will detail all of the principals, and discuss the first company to be targeted, King says, in January.

"If companies live up to the principals…and the workers decide they don't want to join the union, that's fine," said King.  "We'll shake the employers hand, and move on to another campaign."

But, the UAW leader also saying while he prefers the conciliatory approach, he will prepare for a fight.

"If they violate workers rights, then we will begin a direct action public campaign to expose those actions to the American public."

The union has dropped protests against Toyota dealerships, as a way of reaching out to the company.   Those protests were called after Toyota decided to close a plant in California that was once a joint venture with General Motors.

No automaker has agreed to the union's principals.  A Toyota spokesman telling Automotive News that the decision to organize is up to the work force.

This effort will start in a year when the UAW also has very important contract talks with Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.  King says not only will the union be able to handle both efforts at the same time, but they are tied together.

"If we want the greatest economic security, the fairest standard of living, we have to have the whole industry organized."

Follow Jeff Gilbert on Twitter @jefferygilbert