As members of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE), they are covered by a contract with the Clothing Manufacturers Association (CMA) along with more than 6,000 other workers who make men’s tailored suits. The national contract, approved in early May, provides for a 25 cents per hour wage increase in the first year, a $500 bonus and no wage increase in the second year, and a 20-cent increase in the third year.

On April 23 workers attended one of the largest meetings of the local in several years. That day and for several days afterward, workers turned down the company’s requests that they work overtime, which is voluntary in this factory. The workers’ action came when the company was trying to meet end-of-the-month deadlines.

The next day, supervisors approached a number of workers in the main production department, the coat shop, about working overtime. Many of these workers, who do not speak English and were not aware of the discussion that had taken place at the union meeting, initially agreed. Other workers in the coat shop rapidly organized to talk to their co-workers and convinced them to decline the overtime. This action helped to overcome divisions based on language and nationality that the company fosters. Several workers remarked, "We have to stay united."

On April 30, workers in the plant voted on the national contract. The main issue they objected to was payment of a bonus in the second year instead of a raise. Elba Rosario, a sewing machine operator in the pants shop, explained, "People need to understand they’re trying to fool us with the bonus. I’m campaigning for a ‘no’ vote."

The contract was rejected 246-36. Later that afternoon, as the union president walked around the plant showing the vote totals, some workers cheered and clapped.

"It doesn’t really affect me because I’m retiring in August," said Glenda Backus, a presser in the coat shop. "But you have to take a stand." Another worker with more than 20 years in the plant added, "I’m not scared anymore. I see through the company’s game." Some expressed surprise at the results, saying they had underestimated the immigrant workers, who are the majority of the workforce.

The reaction of many workers turned to frustration, however, when it became clear a few days later that the national contract had been approved.

On May 8, the company posted a notice from the National Labor Relations Board, stating that a petition had been filed for a union decertification election in the plant. Workers started to become aware of the notice the following morning.

Word spread through the plant that morning that an emergency union meeting would take place in the cafeteria at 11:00 a.m. Almost all the 325 workers in the plant attended. It was reported that the company was refusing to negotiate a local contract with the union.

The union representative explained that one of the main issues was payment of a 20-cent pay raise that had been postponed since 1992. To loud applause, he announced that the company had suddenly agreed to meet with the union negotiating committee the next day.

To try to regain the upper hand, the personnel director posted a notice a couple of days later threatening to fire workers who participated in any further "illegal work stoppages." Many scoffed at this notice. A young warehouse worker said, "We should do it again. What’s he going to do about it?" An examiner in the coat shop added, "See how he likes it if we stay out a whole day!"

On May 15, the day after the meeting of the union local, workers again began to decline overtime. Over the next few days, discussions took place to convince as many workers as possible to do the same. The company responded by laying off whole departments for a day at a time, claiming lack of work.

On Friday, May 18, supervisors repeatedly asked workers in two of the coat shop departments to work on Saturday. Each time workers followed up by explaining to co-workers the need to maintain unity. The bosses grew visibly more frustrated, and finally canceled Saturday overtime.

Another meeting was held in the plant May 22 to hear a report on the company’s offer for the local contract. The union joint board manager reported that the company had agreed to pay the postponed 20-cent pay raise in 2002, and that the 25-cent pay raise for 2001 that had been negotiated in the national contract would go into effect immediately rather than in October. Additionally, negotiations are continuing on supplementary health insurance benefits. The union did not win its demand for paid personal days.

The majority opinion was that the workers’ united stand had forced the company to concede more than it was initially willing to. A number of workers said the union was stronger because of the experiences the workers had been through.

Elba Rosario commented, "One of the workers told me that not working overtime wouldn’t have any effect on the company. But you see, the company is behind by 1,900 units now. What we did had a big impact."

Danielle Dimitrova, who explained that she had been a union steward in her native Bulgaria, said, "Maybe we didn’t get everything, but we made the bosses respect us. Now they know we have our own minds."

Mike Fitzsimmons and Tony Prince are members of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees at Hugo Boss in Cleveland.  
 
 
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