International Brotherhood of DuPont Workers

Jim Flickinger - President     

Tony Davis - Vice President

Donny Irvin - Secretary/Treasurer 

Kenneth Henley - General Counsel 

"Workers Representing DuPont, Bemis and INVISTA Workers"

LOUISVILLE LOCAL ENDS AFFILIATION WITH USWA

Dissatisfied with high dues and poor service, the Louisville Union (known as the Neoprene Craftsmen Union or the “NCU”) ended its 8 year affiliation with the United Steelworkers of America on May 14, returning to its status as an independent union affiliated only with the International Brotherhood of Dupont Workers.   

Back in 2002, the NCU, which had affiliated with the IBDW in 1988, also affiliated with PACE which itself later affiliated with the USWA.  With a two hour per month dues obligation to USWA, and that obligation scheduled to increase to up to 2.5 hours per month, and dissatisfied with the representation provided by overworked USWA reps who exhibited little knowledge of Dupont or the local situation in Louisville, the members took action to end the relationship with the USWA. 

Over 85% of those in the unit signed a petition to decertify the existing union and to form a new independent union (Freon Craftsman Union). 

An election was held by the National Labor Relations Board with 3 choices- no union; the old union as an affiliate of the IBDW and the USWA; or the new independent union (Freon Craftsman Union). 

The results:  85% voted for the new independent union (Freon Craftsman Union); 15% voted for the old union as an affiliate of the USWA; not one person voted for no union! 

After the election several meetings were held with the following results: 

The Bylaws of the old independent union (the NCU) were adopted as those for the new independent union – called the Freon Craftsman Union.

The local officers of the old independent union will serve out their term, now as the officers of the new independent union. 

The new union will be an affiliate of the IBDW. 

The treasury of the old union was transferred to the new union. 

Dues  of the new union were set at $50.00 per month.  All dues money remains with the new union but for the IBDW receiving the amount it had always received, just $2.00 per member, per month. 

The members at the Louisville plant have spoken and taken action.  This was a grass roots movement and they have returned to their roots as a truly independent union. 

Greg Lowman

President

Freon Workers Union, IBDW Local  788

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