Workforce – Local Union Activity

Indiana is now a Right-to-Work State!

During the 2012 Legislative session, the state legislature passed House Enrolled Act 1001 which was signed into law on February 1, 2012 by Governor Mitch Daniels.  The action made Indiana the 23rd right-to-work state and the only right-to-work state in the Midwest.

Major Employers with Organized Union Affiliations

IAC United Auto Workers (as of July 1997 – see note below)
Buzzi Unicem USA (Formerly Lone Star) International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (40+ year relationship)

Union Elections

Year No. Wins Firm
1991-1995 1 0 HAPPICO in 1993
1996 0 0 Lear – Petition withdrawn – Vote expected against the union
1997 0 0 Lear – See note below
1998-2000 0 0
2001-2005 0 0 Oxford Automotive – Closed 3/05
2006-2010 0 0 Lear becomes IAC – 4/07
2011-2014 0 0

Work Stoppages

Year No. Days Firm
1991-1995 0 0
1996-2000 0 0
2001-2005 0 0
2006-2010 0 0
2011-2014 0 0

Notes:  In July of 1997, Lear Corporation, as part of their corporate policy, allowed the UAW to organize their facility.  No actual union election was held.  The company offered a signing bonus to get a contract ratified due to lack of interest in union representation.  At contract ratification, about one third of those eligible to vote cast a ballot with ony about 70% of those voting in favor of the contract.

In March of 2005, Oxford Automotive closed its Greencastle plant as a result of corporate bankruptcy.  All North American operations ended.  During the 30+ history of the plant, the workforce was represented by the UAW.

In April of 2007, Lear’s interior systems operations became International Automotive Components Group (IAC).

 

Updated: 06/2014