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Fuyao Glass America Workers Vote Overwhelmingly Against Unionization

Jerry Kenney

Workers at Fuyao Glass America in Moraine have voted overwhelmingly against forming a union with the United Auto Workers.

Credit Jerry Kenney

Hundreds of workers cast ballots in the two-day election, which began Wednesday.

 

The vote was decisive: workers rejected unionization by nearly a two to one margin.

The union effort at Fuyao has been the subject of intense scrutiny by some Ohio politicians. More than a dozen Republican state lawmakers urged workers to quote “reject outside forces” trying to organize the plant. And, Republican Congressman Mike Turner expressed his support for Fuyao company leadership.

Democrats also weighed in, touting the benefits of union representation for Fuyao workers, and calling on management to take worker concerns seriously.

Earlier this fall, Fuyao workers filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board, citing workplace safety issues and inadequate wages and benefits. Fuyao was fined by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration for safety violations last year.  

 

Fuyao leadership has expressed satisfaction with the results of the vote.

 

In a press release, the UAW said it's investigating election "irregularities" and may soon file objections with the National Labor Relations Board.

 

Copyright 2017 WYSO

April Laissle is a graduate of Ohio University and comes to WYSO from WOUB Public Media in Athens, Ohio where she worked as a weekend host and reporter. There, she reported on everything from food insecurity to 4-H chicken competitions. April interned at KQED Public Radio in San Francisco, where she focused on health reporting. She also worked on The Broad Experience, a New-York based podcast about women and workplace issues. In her spare time, April loves traveling, trying new recipes and binge-listening to podcasts. April is a Florida native and has been adjusting to Ohio weather since 2011.