Labor complaint filed against Air Products in Allentown

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.midatlanticlabor.com/appiesnet/wordpress/?p=1430

BY PAUL TUCKER
[email protected]

LEHIGH VALLEY, August 15th- The labor organization that represents the employees of Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Hamilton Street in Allentown, filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region Four office in Philadelphia alleging the Employer violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRAct).

The International Association of Machinists (IAM) Union District Lodge 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio, filed the Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against Air Products on August 6th, 2010 alleging the Employer violated Section 8 (a) and subsections (6) of the NLRAct. IAM Lodge 1 has an office in Philadelphia and represents IAM members throughout the region.

“Since on or about August 10th, and at all times thereafter, the Employer by its officers, agents, and representatives, has refused to bargain in good faith with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, a labor organization chosen by a majority of its employees in an appropriate unit for the purpose of collective bargaining in repect to rates of pay, hours of employment, and other terms and conditions of employment,” states the ULP, which was reviewed by the newspaper.

The complaint was filed on behalf of the IAM by James Smith, indentified as IAM District Lodge 1 Grand Lodge Representative in Ohio on the ULP.

According to information on the ULP, the IAM represents approximately 240 workers employed at the Air Products Allentown facility, which is a chemical plant providing flourine gases.

The complaint states the Employer has refused to abide by the contract agreement and make whole all effected employees outline in grievances. “The Employer failed to respond in a timely manner to these grievances awarded in favor of the grievant,” states the charge.