Over 130 workers at Real Alloy in Morgantown, Kentucky have joined Teamsters Local 89 after a National Labor Relations Board election late last night confirmed that 70% of the workforce had voted to unionize.
This is a historic victory, as it marks the first ever successful union organizing drive in Morgantown.
“We’re very happy to have this new group of workers join us,” said Local 89 President Avral Thompson. “We’re going to do everything we can to help these folks win a strong first contract that can change their lives, but also their entire community by raising the area standards.”
Real Alloy is an aluminum recycling and alloy production plant, specializing in converting aluminum scrap and by-products into reusable aluminum for other industries. Workers first approached Local 89 organizers in late January, and the excitement grew rapidly from there. Although guided by our organizing department and staff, dozens of workers took it upon themselves to talk to their co-workers about fighting for a voice on the job, strong safety standards, job security and a fair grievance procedure, and quality healthcare.
“We couldn’t have won this without the folks in that place doing so much work to get their co-workers ready to for the election,” said Business Agent Daniel Cartmill. “They really took ownership of this thing and they’re ready to fight for the contract they deserve.”
We would like to thank Daniel, Local 89 Organizers Wes Odle and David Thornsberry, Business Agent Alex Murphy, IBT Field Organizer Sindi Herrera, IBT Organizer Ebrima Janneh, and many others who helped on this organizing drive. And special shout out to our Caesars Southern Indiana members who sent videos of support, while still on their picket line, to the workers at Real Alloy encouraging them to join the Teamsters!
From President Thompson, Secretary Treasurer-Cooper, and everyone at Teamsters Local 89, we want to congratulate the working people of Real Alloy on their hard-fought victory and welcome them to our always growing union family!
