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"The Teamsters reached an agreement with New Era Cap earlier this year with its Mobile, Alabama workers that helped lead to today's victory." - Jimmy Hoffa Jr., President International Brotherhood of Teamsters
In Feburary 2008, the Teamster, New Era Cap and the NAACP jointly announced a tentative 3 year agreement in the Mobile, Alabama facility. Part of that agreement was that the company and the union would remain neutrality, whereby they would stand clear of coercion in the organizing of other New Era Cap facilities.
Friday, the workers in the Jackson, Alabama facility, which employees 326, voted overwhelmingly, 209-77, to become union members in the Teamsters Local 991.
"We are pleased to welcome the New Era Cap workers to the Teamsters and we will work hard to represent them," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "The Teamsters reached an agreement with New Era Cap earlier this year with its Mobile, Alabama workers that helped lead to today's victory."
"I was not surprised at the size of the victory because all the workers know we need a change in how we are treated and I tip my hat to the Teamsters for coming in here and helping us," said Nancy Phelon, a three-year worker who works in Stitching. "I know the Teamsters will be behind us from now on."
Read more in the Press Release at PR Newswire
Thanks
I have been traveling like a madman. I am here in Las Vegas with the Union now and I have had very little sleep since getting here, as you can imagine. I am so glad that you took the opportunity to post about this important victory. I was fortunate enough to work on this campaign and it was intense, every step of the way, to hear from workers who were so poorly treated at this company. One pregnant worker went on record to say that if she was to go into labor while at work the foreman would bring her a towel and a bucket ... When the IBT joined forces with the NAACP, and then worked together to get the message out, people heard. We used Union Review, MYSPACE, FACEBOOK and Joe's Union Review among a slew of other sites. We even got the support of Musicians Union Local 807 out of NYC.
Here in Vegas we are having our Unity Conference. I wish you could have all heard the thundering round of applause when it was announced that this victory took place.
If any New Era workers get here to the site, please know how much you are welcomed into the Teamsters. 1.4 million - plus members have stood behind you and rooted for you throughout your efforts to organize.
Thanks again, Joe, for getting this up to the site while I have been away.