Manufacturing
There are dozens of unionized manufacturing facilities in the six county jurisdiction of the South Central Federation of Labor. While they all share some common concerns and some common characteristics, it is very difficult to generalize about them because of the disparate products manufactured and the often very different union cultures. Hence, we will emphasize only two particular unions--International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 873, a single shop union, and Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 565, a multi-shop union.
IAM Local Lodge 873 represents workers at the John Deere lawn tractor plant in Horicon, Dodge County. Like most Machinist unions, the unit is covered under one contract. There are five main job classifications including assemblyman, welder, punch press operator, pipefitter, and mechanic. There are also maintenance and experimental positions. Apprenticeships are required for positions in the trades and others are given on the job training.
SMW Local 565 represents workers from a range of companies throughout the state of Wisconsin, including in our area: Sub-Zero, Boumatic, Carnes Co., Trachte Building Systems, Metal Skills Plus, and Everbrite. The local represents workers at eight companies statewide with eleven different contracts total. Members produce a variety of products, including dehumidifiers, HVAC equipment, refrigerators, self storage equipment, milk coolers, loudspeaker cones, and grills.
Historically, manufacturing wages are often based on a piece-rate system. Currently, group incentive and profit sharing systems are most commonly used. John Deere uses team concept systems for IAM 873 members. All SMW 565 members are paid a base wage, and bonus and incentive systems vary for each shop. Base wages range from $13-$23/hr.
IAM 873 dues are structured according to income and SMW 565 dues are a set rate across the board.
Union Structure:
Both IAM 873 and SMW 565 elect officers every 3 years.
The IAM 873 President appoints members to shop committees. Contract negotiations, grievance arbitrations, and organizing are led by District 121, located in Beaver Dam (since merged with District 10 in Milwaukee). Local Lodges within District 121 elect the District’s Business Representatives, who are then trained by the International Grand Lodge in Washington, D.C. There are stewards for each site on the factory floor, with 1-3 stewards for each department of the factory.
The Business Manager is the top officer in SMW Local 565. Business Managers and Business Reps are elected by the local membership. Each shop has union stewards appointed by the Business Manager and Business Reps. Members also are appointed to shop committees. The International is geared towards sheet metal workers in the building trades, rather than manufacturing locals such as Local 565.
Main Issues:
On the job: Safety concerns and OSHA standards.
Legislative: Trade, labor law reform.
Contractual: Health insurance, wages, pensions, subcontracting, and outsourcing.
Things to Consider:
Though most manufacturing work is a relatively stable job with a set schedule at one job site, all work is factory work, which means close quarters, heavy machinery, tight assembly lines, and a range of industrial hazards.
Due to the nature of the work, companies can easily relocate or outsource the production of goods which creates concerns about job security among members and makes new organizing very difficult.
Other Manufacturing unions in SCFL Jurisdiction:
Machinist Lodges
1367 (Western Industries, Kusel Equipment, Spirek, De La Rue)
1406 (Datex-Ohmeda, Federal Industries, Unimin Corp., Research Products)
2052 (Mayville Products, Danly IEM)
2053 (Gleason Reel, Maysteel, Mayville Die & Tool, Metalcraft of Mayville)
2054 (Gardner Mfg, MacFab Products
United Steel Workers Locals
342 (Baso)
904 (Goodyear)
1207 (Uniroyal)
4846 (Wisconsin Investcast, ER Wagner Casters & Wheels)
UFCW Local 538 (Oscar Mayer, Tyson, Jones Dairy)
UFCW 1473 (Redi Serve, McCain Foods, Van Holten’s
Teamsters Local 695 (several, mostly food processing units)
– Presented at June 16, 2008 SCFL Delegates meeting.