Union claims Toyota workers expressing more interest

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080425/BUSINESS/804250398

By Jere Downs • [e-mail] • April 25, 2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger came into the heart of Toyota's U.S. outpost yesterday and boasted that the union "doesn't have the people to cover all the calls we get" from workers at the Japanese automaker's Georgetown plant.

The UAW has sought to organize the nonunion Camry factory for the last decade, working from a storefront office nearby.

While asserting that Toyota workers are more interested than ever, Gettelfinger claimed union activity is taking place behind the scenes, with no plans for a union election anytime soon.

"It is amazing the number of workers who want to join the union," he said in an interview after remarks to auto-industry insiders at the Global Automotive Conference. "They may be having activity you don't know about."

A campaign to persuade a majority of Toyota workers to sign cards calling for a union vote fell short at 38 percent in 2004.

Whether Toyota workers organize or not is up to them, Gov. Steve Beshear said after his speech at the conference yesterday.

If workers want a union, "they should have it," Beshear said. "I certainly favor unions in terms of the benefits they bring to the state."

FULL story at link.

[N4457S]

1. If That Was The Case...

...the UAW would have organized the place long ago.

Gettelfinger is under pressure to increase membership because Detroit is in a complete free fall.

It won't happen.

[reformedrethug]

2. I have to agree

they have said the same thing about Honda for years yet they are still on the outside looking in.