By a 30-9 tally, workers at Micron Metal Finishing near Chicago voted to join Local 781 in Des Plaines, Illinois. There are 51 workers in the bargaining unit.

“The workers put industrial finishes on different metal parts,” said Paul Stripling, Local 781 President. “Their health care is very expensive and no one can afford to pay for it. The workers earn about $10.50 an hour so they also are seeking fair wages for the work they do.”

Safety is another major issue.

“Company safety procedures are on paper only,” Stripling said. He noted that the workers are concerned about inhaling dangerous chemicals and they want steps taken to improve safety and ventilation.

“I want to thank Local 781 Vice President Hernon Gomez for coordinating the campaign,” Stripling said. “We also had two Local 781 volunteer organizers, Gerard Adams and Wally Swanson, who received excellent training from International Union organizer Greg Chockley.”

The election took place in September.

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