Breaking... Iron Mountain workers made famous by leaked audio vote to unionize 14-10!!

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Labor News Link

Details will be posted as they become available.

This group of workers became famous after leaking multimillion-dollar government contractor’s two audio recordings of what they say are their manager’s attempts to dissuade them from forming a union. The recordings provide a rare example of what some organizers say are commonplace anti-union intimidation tactics.

More background here: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/10/31/union-busting-tacticsondisplayatduluthgaplant.html

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Audio Of Iron Mountain Managers Trying To Talk Employees Out Of Union Leaked

http://news.firedoglake.com/2013/10/30/audio-of-iron-mountain-managers-trying-to-talk-employees-out-of-union-leaked/

By: DSWright Wednesday October 30, 2013 11:23 am

Audio: https://soundcloud.com/organizega/iron-mountain-anti-union

Managers at a Georgian facility at the Iron Mountain company took a shot at trying to talk their workers out of joining a union. The discussion was recorded as the two managers “educated” the workers.

“This is the South. This is not something where unions are [prevalent],” says one manager. “If the union comes in, it will make it much more difficult to get things done.” When the other manager addresses the employees, he says of their union campaign, “I can’t help but take it personally… it does hurt. It does sting.”

Who knew unionizing a workplace was done to insult management?

The lecture from management went beyond a guilt trip over perceived insults to a testimonial from one of the managers about his extensive experience working in a unionized workforce – the appeal to authority was pushed back on by one of the workers themselves.

At one point, a manager tells the workers, “No one in this room has more union experience than me.” At that, one worker speaks up to note that he was in a union for five years at a previous workplace, and tells a story of how the union helped save his job after the company tried to fire him unjustly. “Well shame on the company,” replies the manager, “but we don’t do that here.” (The worker’s previous employer would no doubt say the same thing.)

During an attempt to unionize a workplace management is allowed to talk to the workers provided there is no intimidation. Something the managers clearly understood as they continually referenced “intimidation” but in the context of those who wanted the union not intimidating those that did not.

As the vote to unionize nears the workers at the Duluth facility are likely to face more lectures and emotional appeals.

[ReRe]

1. We know how the song goes. Everybody sing along:

Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
The Union will keep you strong!

[Cal Carpenter]

5. Which side are you on, boys?

Which side are you on...

That one that comes to my mind too.

[riversedge]

9. Fresh in my mind-from WI

[freshwest]

2. Good for goose, gander, etc. Corporations orgnaize! Why not workers? What warped bosses...

[flying rabbit]

3. They have a huge anti union infestation in their corporate culture. nt

[Brigid]

4. Decline to unionize in order to avoid insulting management?

Now that's got to be the lamest approach I've ever heard management take when workers are contemplating unionization.

[DBoon]

6. I find that in general, management deserves to be insulted

nt

[libdem4life]

7. Imagine a strike line that included Moms, elementary kids and teachers. El Rancho USD. 1975.

in Los Angeles County. For a lousy 2.5% raise after I think it was two, maybe three years Without One. We were one of the first Teacher's Unions in the state, as I recall. And we weren't even a union then...but it was the Unionizing Event that created one.

[U4ikLefty]

8. Nice

My mom is a graduate from El Rancho & I live in Pico.

I didn't know this...gotta look it up. Thanks.

[libdem4life]

10. I was at Magee School. I read that "The Ranch" is one of the largest HS in LA County.

(also South Ranchito) and worked as a secretary for the District Office ... not the one on Passons, but the one on Slauson. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to be in the Neighborhood Youth Corps high school student work program. I worked there for 7 years...worked my way through college there. John Jones, an amazing man, was Superintendent. I worked for his Secretary, Irene.

I don't think I would have become a teacher without their help, guidance, and encouragement...and a job practically promised when I got out.

Wow...memories. Thanks for sharing.