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CWA: Federal Court Ruling Affirms Workers' Rights to Organize, Union Representation
Washington, D.C.--President Morton Bahr of the Communications Workers of America hailed a federal court decision that bars Quadrtech Corp. from moving to Mexico in retaliation for the workers' vote for union representation. This decision recognizes workers' rights to organize and freedom of association, and takes concrete steps to protect them, Bahr said.
Kate Bronfenbrenner, an expert in labor education research at Cornell University whose research has found that employers frequently threaten to close plants to thwart union organizing, called the ruling "an incredible decision."
"The courts have always weighed the employer's right to make profit against the workers' right to unionize," she said. In this case, the court has ruled that the freedom of association of workers "is a right of greater value than business decisions and profits," she said.
Workers at Quadrtech Corp., a jewelry manufacturer outside Los Angeles, won a huge victory as a federal district court judge ordered their employer to stop the company's planned move to Tijuana, Mexico.
U.S. District Judge Carlos R. Moreno issued a preliminary injunction that blocks Quadrtech from moving its operations to Mexico and orders the return of two truckloads of equipment that already had been shipped to the Tijuana location.
Workers at Quadrtech had voted overwhelmingly June 29 for representation by the International Union of Electronic Workers, now the industrial division of CWA. Owner Vladimir Reil then announced he would lay off the majority of workers and move operations to Mexico by Nov. 17, prompting the workers and IUE-CWA to file charges and press the National Labor Relations Board to seek the injunction. The injunction will remain in place while dozens of NLRB charges are reviewed; a hearing is set for Dec. 11.
"This struggle for fairness represents what is going on across the country and why unions are so important," said IUE-CWA President Edward Fire.
Bahr said that during union organizing campaigns, employers often threaten to close their plants and move to low-wage locations. "This tactic is illegal, but it happens far too often. We are very pleased that the NLRB and the court have acted now, to protect the jobs of these workers and to uphold their right to a union voice, instead of waiting until there could be no effective remedy or justice."
Some 118 workers who assemble and ship jewelry had serious concerns about health and safety conditions that had resulted in a growing number of injuries, and the constant speed-up of work. The workers earn about $5.75 an hour, the state minimum wage, and work under hot, difficult conditions, with many forced to stand throughout their 10-hour-a-day shifts. The union drive was prompted when the company first denied accommodation to a worker with a medical condition affecting her foot, then disciplined the entire workforce for supporting that worker and another who were fired.
Kate Bronfenbrenner, an expert in labor education research at Cornell University whose research has found that employers frequently threaten to close plants to thwart union organizing, called the ruling "an incredible decision."
"The courts have always weighed the employer's right to make profit against the workers' right to unionize," she said. In this case, the court has ruled that the freedom of association of workers "is a right of greater value than business decisions and profits," she said.
Workers at Quadrtech Corp., a jewelry manufacturer outside Los Angeles, won a huge victory as a federal district court judge ordered their employer to stop the company's planned move to Tijuana, Mexico.
U.S. District Judge Carlos R. Moreno issued a preliminary injunction that blocks Quadrtech from moving its operations to Mexico and orders the return of two truckloads of equipment that already had been shipped to the Tijuana location.
Workers at Quadrtech had voted overwhelmingly June 29 for representation by the International Union of Electronic Workers, now the industrial division of CWA. Owner Vladimir Reil then announced he would lay off the majority of workers and move operations to Mexico by Nov. 17, prompting the workers and IUE-CWA to file charges and press the National Labor Relations Board to seek the injunction. The injunction will remain in place while dozens of NLRB charges are reviewed; a hearing is set for Dec. 11.
"This struggle for fairness represents what is going on across the country and why unions are so important," said IUE-CWA President Edward Fire.
Bahr said that during union organizing campaigns, employers often threaten to close their plants and move to low-wage locations. "This tactic is illegal, but it happens far too often. We are very pleased that the NLRB and the court have acted now, to protect the jobs of these workers and to uphold their right to a union voice, instead of waiting until there could be no effective remedy or justice."
Some 118 workers who assemble and ship jewelry had serious concerns about health and safety conditions that had resulted in a growing number of injuries, and the constant speed-up of work. The workers earn about $5.75 an hour, the state minimum wage, and work under hot, difficult conditions, with many forced to stand throughout their 10-hour-a-day shifts. The union drive was prompted when the company first denied accommodation to a worker with a medical condition affecting her foot, then disciplined the entire workforce for supporting that worker and another who were fired.
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