TEAMSTERS DISPUTE M&W OFFICIAL'S CLAIMS

A Teamsters representative involved with union organizing efforts at a Cape Girardeau plant said management, despite its claims, is not helping its workers by opposing the union.

Workers at M&W Packaging U.S. Inc. will vote in a secret ballot election March 28-29 at the company's local plant. About 150 production, maintenance and shipping employees will participate.

Charles Deal, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Union Local 574 in Cape Girardeau, took issue with previously published comments from M&W officials. The company opposes the effort.

"Government protection under the National Labor Relations Act is provided to workers only if they are covered by a union contract or if they are currently engaging in union activity, seeking union representation," Deal said. It is ironic, he said, that a company which is holding "captive audience" meetings with its workers, trying to discourage unionization, would have the "unmitigated gall" to pretend to be trying to help their workers.

Elden L. Lingwood, executive vice president of M&W, had previously said that management doubts workers want to pay the dues necessary for Teamsters representation. He also said the company believes it can be more competitive in the global marketplace without union interference.

Deal said Local 574 does not charge employee groups for its services throughout the initial voting and contract bargaining. Monthly dues are not collected until workers accept contract terms negotiated with an employer.

He said he would not expect workers to vote to accept a proposal that did not gain them far in excess of union membership.

Deal also disputed management reports that the average pay, including normal weekend pay, for M&W workers is $12.36 an hour.

"While this may look good in the newspaper, it is doubtful that the average straight-time hourly wage rate at M&W is nearly as much as the figure quoted," he said. "And if that rate is right, so much the better, as we'll have less far to go in getting those workers up to an acceptable level of income."