March 5, 2008
Union files complaint against Panolam
A local union last week filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging an Auburn laminate manufacturer is intimidating employees in anticipation of an upcoming vote to unionize at the plant.
Local 340 of the Teamsters filed the charge against the Panolam plant, saying management is engaging in unfair labor practices in anticipation of a March 14 vote to certify a Panolam union, according to the Sun Journal in Lewiston. Local 340 alleges Panolam told employees the plant might close if the union is certified and spied on employees to see if they support the union, among other things. The union needs 157 of Panolam's 313 eligible workers to vote in favor of the union to certify it, but the March vote has been postponed pending the results of the NLRB's investigation.
The NLRB is expected to begin investigating this month and to implement its findings within two weeks of a decision. An employee who was not identified by the paper said the workers are hoping a union will prompt a $3 per hour wage increase and require Panolam to pay the full amount of medical insurance premiums, among other changes.
Local 340 of the Teamsters filed the charge against the Panolam plant, saying management is engaging in unfair labor practices in anticipation of a March 14 vote to certify a Panolam union, according to the Sun Journal in Lewiston. Local 340 alleges Panolam told employees the plant might close if the union is certified and spied on employees to see if they support the union, among other things. The union needs 157 of Panolam's 313 eligible workers to vote in favor of the union to certify it, but the March vote has been postponed pending the results of the NLRB's investigation.
The NLRB is expected to begin investigating this month and to implement its findings within two weeks of a decision. An employee who was not identified by the paper said the workers are hoping a union will prompt a $3 per hour wage increase and require Panolam to pay the full amount of medical insurance premiums, among other changes.
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