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ExxonMobil employees are being mailed secret ballots to vote for or against USW Local 13-243 decertification.
ExxonMobil announced Oct. 25 that the National Labor Relations Board has scheduled a vote on whether or not to decertify United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-243 amid failing contract negotiations. If workers vote to decertify, they will no longer be represented by the Union.
The company reports it “has worked with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on giving you the right to vote,” and has been encouraging employees to decertify USW Local 13-243 to “end the lockout” at the Beaumont refinery as collective bargaining for a new contract has been unsuccessful. The company has indicated it has provided its best offer, which USW 13-243 recently rejected. USW Local 13-243 members have been locked out of the refinery since May.
According to ExxonMobil on Oct. 25, “Today, the NLRB’s Regional Director approved an election agreement setting the details for a mail-in secret ballot election to determine if our employees wish to be represented by the USW Local 13-243…
“We believe voters should get as much information as possible so you can make an informed choice on whether you want to decertify the Union. Unlike other votes you may have witnessed or heard about involving the Union, the decertification election will be conducted by the NLRB, a government agency whose job is to make sure decertification elections are conducted honestly and in secret. Please make sure your voice is heard – plan to vote and mail your ballot back to the NLRB shortly after you receive it.
Any questions related to the employee led decertification effort can be submitted to Beaumont Area HR Department at Beaumont.Area.HR@exxonmobil.com.
The election will be conducted by mail. Mail ballots will be sent to wage employees by the NLRB on Friday, Nov. 12. Employees will have the opportunity to vote in secret from home with complete anonymity.
“No one will know how you vote unless you tell them,” ExxonMobil explained.
Employees who don’t get a ballot soon after Nov. 12 should contact the NLRB regional office to request a new one. Mail ballots must be returned to the NLRB Regional office by close of business on Dec. 22.