National Labor Relations Act prohibits threats to union members

Mon, 07/13/2020 - 6:00pm

Staff reports

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) on Friday filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board against the IAM Local S6 union for violating the National Labor Relations Act by threatening union members who elect to return to work.

A BIW press release alleges that, in a communication to its membership, union leaders threatened so-called “scabs” who cross the picket line with heavy fines and loss of benefits. They also suggested physical violence, saying, “no man has a right to scab so long as there is a pool of water to drown his carcass in, or a rope long enough to hang his body with,” the press release states.

The quote is from Jack London's "Ode to a Scab.”

The Boothbay Register reached out to union officials July 13. None were immediately available.

The charge BIW reported in Friday’s release was in response to a July 9 union update "Attention All Scabs,” which alleges BIW officials have been spreading propaganda and providing incorrect information on how to withdraw from the union. The update also said resignation disqualifies rights to vote on union business, run for committees and union benefits such as accident and sickness, dental and vision. “... Once we return to work, anyone who took the advice from management and resigned from the Union will still be required to pay full union dues. The Union will fine every single member who crossed the picket line for the total amount of wages they individually earned from BIW until the strike is over."

“We are extremely disappointed that union leaders would make false and threatening statements to the very employees they are supposed to represent,” said BIW President Dirk Lesko in Friday’s release. “We take these issues very seriously and will continue to ensure our employees’ rights are protected.”

Under the National Labor Relations Act, employees who choose to resume working have the legal right to do so without being harassed or threatened with violence. Those who resign their union membership prior to crossing the picket line cannot be fined or required to pay full union dues, either during or after the strike.

Local S6 has been on strike since June 21 after it rejected BIW’s offer that included 3% pay increases for each year of the three-year contract.