CTNA/Union Representation Vote Results Certified

America’s National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) has certified the results of a union representation vote at Continental Tire North America’s (CTNA) Mount Vernon, Illinois, plant. Tire Review reported the news following claims by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) union that the manufacturer interfered with the vote. The NLRB issued is decision, overruling the union’s claim on 23 February, but CTNA did not issue a statement about the results until 3 March.

The representation election was held in late July after the USWA petitioned the NLRB to represent production and maintenance workers at the passenger and light truck/SUV tyre plant. The ballot recorded 807 against and 747 for the union, according to CTNA, with 41 ballots being challenged, an insufficient number to change the outcome.

One week after the vote the USWA filed seven objections with the NLRB regarding the ballot, but those petitions were turned down in a regional NLRB ruling in October 2004, said CTNA. The Steelworkers then appealed the regional ruling, which was refused in the NLRB’s 23 February decision. “We are pleased with the NLRB’s decision in this matter,“ said Rick Ledsinger, CTNA’s director of human resources. “From the beginning, we were confident that the Steelworkers’ objections to the Mount Vernon election were baseless. The NLRB’s decision confirms our commitment to treating our employees fairly.“