WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU-WAOW) Several dozen Ocean Spray employees in Wisconsin Rapids are demanding better working conditions. They’d like to join a union.
Several were standing outside their plant looking to garner support for their cause Wednesday, as people entered the facility for their shift.
The workers are looking to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 965, which is based out of Madison. “What we’re seeing right now is free speech and people saying, ‘Hey, we support your decision either way. If you want to organize and become a union, we’re here to support you,'” said Dillon Gorman, the Business Manager with IBEW LU 965.
Ocean Spray’s Kenosha plant has also unionized, and a few people from that location came up to offer their support.
“This particular facility is a 24/7 facility, so they work 12-hour shifts, they cover round the clock; we also represent workers that work around the clock as well at power plants and other facilities like that,” Gorman said.
There’s an internal vote coming next week that will decide their union status.
Gorman says the workers have disagreements with the direction of the company in regard to conditions. The National Labor Relations Board is aware of the workers’ intentions, Gorman says.
More than 90 workers will be affected by whether the plant decides to unionize.
News 9 also reached out to Ocean Spray for comment on the workers’ actions, but did not hear back by press time.
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