Originally published in Labor Today
August 2nd, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 292 in Brooklyn Park, MN will be conducting a vote among its Limited Energy members whether they want to accept the newest contract proposal or authorize a strike (limited energy or “low voltage” is considered anything between 0 and 49 volts per the National Electrical Code). The union has been in negotiations since April with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and now the current contract has expired as of July 1st, 2024, with no progress.
On August 1st, NECA sent a letter to IBEW Local 292 members encouraging them to resign from the union to continue working so that the union will have “no legal right to fine or discipline you.”
“You should be aware that a union has the right to fine or discipline its members who cross picket lines. However, you have the legal right to resign from the union, if you choose. In that case, the union has no legal right to fine or discipline you. We are not suggesting that you either resign from the union, or that you do not resign from the union. That choice is entirely up to you. This information is being given to you so that you will know all the facts in making your decision as to whether you wish to continue to work.”
This letter would later go on to make veiled threats against workers who should choose to strike under Belknap, Inc. v. Hale, 463 U.S. 491 (1983) which says, “Under federal labor law, where employees engage in an economic strike, the employer may hire permanent replacements whom he need not discharge even if the strikers offer to return to work unconditionally.” The NECA representative also mentioned under Minnesota state law, striking workers cannot file for unemployment benefits and that if workers strike they “will be ready and we will take care of our business”.
Tactics such as these by employers and contractors encouraging scabbing, resigning from unions, and threatening to hire replacements is a classic example of the bosses attempting to pit workers against each other and intimidate them to take bad contracts out of fear of repercussions. It was announced on August 2nd that over 300 union members had voted in favor of the strike following a 10-day cool-down period. However, a tentative agreement was reached and a vote was scheduled for Friday, August 16th. Currently there is no update on the results of the vote.
