April 22 Election In North Charleston Cancelled

Boeing was notified Friday that the International Association of Machinists (IAM) has withdrawn its petition to unionize the company’s North Charleston, S.C., facilities.

As a result of this withdrawal, no election will be held on April 22, and the union will not be able to file for a new election for at least six months. The IAM has repeatedly stated that it would withdraw the petition if it lacked the support of Boeing South Carolina’s teammates.

“I want to thank the team for their patience and professionalism throughout this process, but most importantly their passion, spirit and determination to move forward together,” said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager, Boeing South Carolina. “We now have the opportunity to make Boeing South Carolina and our local community an even better place to work and live. And that’s what we’re going to do--- together.”

The IAM said in a news release that the reasons for withdrawing the application were a "toxic environment"  and "gross violations of workers’ lawful organizing rights."

“After speaking with Boeing workers who we were previously unable to reach, we’ve determined now is not the right time for an election,” said lead IAM organizer Mike Evans. “An atmosphere of threats, harassment and unprecedented political interference has intimidated workers to the point we don’t believe a free and fair election is possible.”

In addition to filing Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges, the IAM recently suspended home visits after two organizers were threatened at gunpoint and others reported hostile and near-violent confrontations.

“The right to organize is a legally protected civil right and no one who chooses to exercise that right in North Charleston, SC should fear for their life or safety,” said Evans. “I hold the Boeing Company, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and their surrogates responsible for creating an atmosphere of state-sanctioned hostility toward unions and union organizers.”

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.goiam.org