September 11th, 2020

REPUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND FORD AND HARRISON SLOWS DOWN VOTING PROCESS

Republic management, in consultation with its high-priced anti-worker law firm Ford and Harrison, has slowed down the voting process by inflating the voter eligibility list by including workers who they know are not part of the mechanic and related classification.

IAM attorneys will fight this blatant disregard for Republic AMT’s right to form a union and have notified the National Mediation Board (NMB) that the IAM will oppose the inclusion of workers on the voter eligibility list that do not belong. However, this will take time and will slow the process down.

The largest group of employees included in the voter eligibility list are supervisors. It is important to realize, as outlined in the NMB’s Representation Manual, that employees with the authority to supervise, to recommend discipline/discharge, the authority to grant overtime and the like are not eligible to vote in union representation elections. Republic management also included other smaller groups, such as employees who we believe do not belong.

The reason why Republic management has knowingly included workers on the voter eligibility list is to slow down or derail the process. They fully know and are scared that Republic AMTs, given the right to vote, will choose to form a union with the IAM and they DO NOT want that. They will do everything in their power to stop us from exercising our right to vote and form a union.

Republic management says that they respect our right to form a union and decide the matter democratically for ourselves. But Republic management’s actions, guided by lawyers they are paying a lot of money to, say the exact opposite.

​We will report to Republic AMTs when IAM’s objections are submitted to the NMB and advise of next steps.