USW Local 2-232

formerly PACE 7-232

Representing  employees at Briggs & Stratton Corp. and Strattec Security Corp. in Milwaukee, WI

Strattec members vote to remain with Local 7-232

by Joe Chambers

          On May 24th, 400 of the 495 Local 7-232 members working at Strattec Security Corporation participated in the vote on the question of remaining with Local 7-232 or forming a separate local union in the PACE International Union. 53% of the members voting voted to remain with Local 7-232 and 47% voted to form a separate local union. The vote tally was 212 voting to stay and 188 voting to separate.

          This vote was the culmination of the process started in March when a petition was circulated at Strattec seeking to form a separate local union. The petition was turned in on April 2nd with 280 signatures. Notice of the vote and a special meeting to discuss the pros and cons of separation was posted in the plant and published in the last issue of the Local 7-232 Reporter. The meeting and vote are required when a petition with 50% or more of the members at either unit is submitted to consider separation.

          When the petition began circulating a special meeting was held to answer the many questions members had about the petition and procedure. At that meeting there were questions about the wording of the petition as well as the procedure. Some members said that they believed that the petition only called for a meeting to discuss the process, not to bring the question of separation to a vote. A four page leaflet answering many of the questions and explaining the procedure was distributed at that meeting. It was also posted on the Local 7-232 web site.

          On May 21st the special meeting required by the by-laws was held at Mannings Restaurant to discuss the pros and cons of separation. The meeting was lightly attended. Some members spoke on both sides of the questions, but the majority of the people speaking at this meeting spoke in favor of separation.

          There was considerable discussion about the wording of the ballot. The question on the ballot was “Do you want the Strattec Security Bargaining Unit to remain part of Local 7-232?” The choices were explained on the ballot as follows: “YES - I want our Bargaining Unit to remain part of Local 7-232.” or “NO - I want our Bargaining Unit to form a separate Local Union within the PACE International Union.” Some members wanted the question reversed, but the Executive Board had framed the question in a manner similar to the vote for a steward recall. There the question on a ballot is “Do you want to keep your present steward?” The Executive Board also wanted the ballot to be as clear as possible, so both the yes and no choices were clearly defined on the ballot.

          Some other questions at the meeting dealt with the questions of finances and expenses for the new local. Members asked if it is possible for the Company to financially break the Union. It was explained that it was possible for management to strain the union’s finances in either the smaller local or the current structure, but there is less reserve and fewer resources in the smaller union.

          Another subject that came up was the question of affiliating with a different International Union. It was explained that recognition of the bargaining unit was with PACE International Union. The question of separation of the bargaining unit into a new local did not involve changing the affiliation with the International Union.

          The major question members discussed was whether they gained more by having more resources as part of Local 7-232 or would they have a stronger union with all officers from their shop, even though the union will be smaller with fewer resources.