When the IBEW International Office reached out to Local 1245 for assistance with a tough union organizing campaign in South Carolina — the state with the lowest unionization rate in the United States — our union heeded the call as always.
Local 1245 dispatched two organizing stewards to participate in a week-long union organizing ‘blitz’ at Westinghouse, a nuclear fabrication facility in Columbia, SC, as the workers there prepared for a union election. 1245 Organizing Stewards Donny Davis and Kimberly Kendricks joined up with IBEW organizers from half a dozen other local unions to support the 682 skilled workers fighting for their rights at the plant.
This union election was some five years in the making; the workers first reached out to organize with the IBEW in 2019, reinvigorated their effort in 2022, circulated authorization cards in 2023 and filed for union election in early 2024.
The extremely diverse workforce, which is predominantly African American and female, sought union representation in the hopes of securing fair wages (especially overtime pay) and safer working conditions (extremely critical given the nature of the dangerous chemicals and compounds they work around), as well decent benefits, improved staffing levels, and a more fair and equitable workplace.
Unfortunately, the employer wasted no time fighting back with aggressive and illegal anti-union tactics. Westinghouse hired a high-priced union buster to threaten and intimidate the workers into opposing unionization. In a blatant violation of the National Labor Relations Act, the employer went so far as to circulate a bogus list of ‘consequences’ to the workers if they vote for the union — threatening to cut wages, eliminate benefits and even close down the plant.
The union election was scheduled for Feb. 29-March 2, and during the final weeks leading up to the vote, the hostility inside the plant reached new levels as union-busters cultivated extreme fear and hostility. The volunteer organizing committee at Westinghouse needed more support – and that’s when they called for reinforcements.
“The opportunity to assist on this campaign couldn’t have come at a better time; I had just successfully completed the Organizing Institute training at the beginning of February, so I felt best prepared,” said 1245 Organizer Donny Davis. “As usual, we did home visits and phone banking. Over the last few days, we participated in an event called ‘honk and wave.’ Expressing our solidarity, members of our team stood outside the gate of the Westinghouse property every day from 5am until midnight (in the rain, wind, and 42-degree weather), holding signs and greeting the employees both coming and going. This was my first time participating in an event like this, it was great to see the brave employees honk their horns and express their appreciation for us.”
IBEW organizers from across the country came together to support the workers organizing at Westinghouse in South Carolina
The IBEW organizers worked tirelessly to combat the union-busting tactics, but ultimately, they were unable to overcome the threats and intimidation from management. Even though 59% of the workers had already signed union authorization cards, the final vote count was 246 in favor of the union, and 379 opposed.
“Even though this campaign didn’t have a positive outcome, I know our efforts had an impact on the community,” said Davis. “Westinghouse is a generational employer, meaning there are men and women whose parents and grandparents have worked there. By spreading the word and attempting to help them unionize, I know this campaign will resonate with all impacted, both directly and indirectly. This fight is far from over, we will be back!”
IBEW 10th District Vice President Brent Hall expressed his appreciation for the help that 1245 lent to the campaign. In a letter to 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean, he wrote:
“I wish to thank you for your support of the Westinghouse campaign in South Carolina and the assistance you sent with your organizers for such a tough assignment,” he wrote. “South Carolina has the smallest union density and membership of any state in the union, and these workers made a statement by standing up to a big corporation. It is unfortunate that Westinghouse used the age-old tactics to scare and intimidate the workers with union busting consultants, but the IBEW’s presence was felt by all. The workers at Westinghouse proved that you could make your voice heard even through intimidation and threats from management Going forward, we have a plan to continue our presence in the community, staying involved with the workers until they can try again in one year. I am confident we will prevail the next time as now these workers know the feeling that the IBEW brotherhood brings to the workplace.”