The IAM has filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) with the National Labor Relations Board over an incident on the strike line at the Perryville, Md., IKEA Distribution Center on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The incident resulted in an IAM leader being arrested, but later released with a minor citation.
The IAM contends that IKEA management contacted and directed the local police department to stop the lawful picketing nearest the distribution center entrance, and the police department carried out the request to stop the lawful union activity, all in an effort to scare the workers from exercising their legally-protected right to peacefully picket.
This behavior by IKEA has added to the list of reasons the workers are on strike. It also means that any replacements to the striking workers hired by IKEA would be temporary replacements instead of permanent replacements.
“Those protections are vital to our members,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Now that the company has crossed that line, our members have a way to prevent mass replacement of those that continue to stand tall for their collective bargaining rights.”
(November 22nd, 2024. IAM Local I-460 Recording Secretary Tony Venzon stands in the Cul-De-Sac area in question. A truck crosses the picket line at the corner behind him.)
The sides had been using a federal mediator to attempt to negotiate a settlement, but the company insists that they need to remove existing language from the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) that recognizes worker seniority. Union members consider that language vital to protection of fairness of job placements.
See the previous report on Federal mediation being requested here
According to witnesses, the local police department has been inconsistent with the application of the Maryland traffic law at the two strike locations. Union members have complained to the Perryville police that some 18-wheel truckers are failing to stop at two stop signs near the strike lines, endangering striking union members and passenger vehicles on the main road. The incident involving the arrest seems to show that IKEA management wants to stop lawful union activity by using local police resources at their request. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will make a determination about these charges at a later date.
(November 22nd, 2024. Striking members of IAM Local I-460 on public sidewalk at location of stop sign that has been subject of ignored union complaints. Damage to the stop sign from a previous 18 wheeler turning incident can be noticed behind the union members.)
The post IAM Files Unfair Labor Practice Amidst IKEA Management’s Heavy-Handed Police Tactics During Strike appeared first on IAMAW.