Information for all WMC employees!

We, the petitioners, want to inform the employees of Wyoming Machinery Company that there is a petition circulating now to decertify the IUOE Local 800 from “representing” us, the employees. This pertains to hourly employees normally covered under the “bargaining agreement”. There are limited times this petition can be attempted. This is one of them, with no “collective bargaining” agreement between the union and WMC. A decertification means to remove the union “representation” from WMC. The petition states that if it is signed by 30-50% of the employees normally covered under the “bargaining agreement”, the National Labor Relations Board will conduct a private ballot election.

If the number of petitioners is over 50%, the petition demands that WMC stop recognition of the union without an election. The company may or may not be able to do this without an election. In a diverse society such as ours, it is hardly surprising that individual employee’s opinions frequently differ from those of the labor union officials charged with representing their interests. We, the petitioners, are some like-minded individuals that feel the union does not represent our viewpoints and beliefs.

Understandably there may be fear of the unknown, such as, what will WMC do afterwards? How will the company treat us without “representation”? Know this: the National Labor Relations Board protects the rights of most private-sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve wages and working conditions. This is under the National Labor Relations Act, Section 7. If the employees are dissatisfied with results after a year, there can be a petition for union “representation”. We believe WMC has treated its workforce competitively and fairly and that this will continue. Is the economy tough? Sure it is. All the more reason for WMC to retain the best workforce in Wyoming and maintain the competitive edge customers expect from a dealer.

Some examples of the integrity of WMC are, approximately three years ago the economy was very slow, much like today. WMC did everything in their power not to have lay-offs. Some years prior to that WMC provided an additional pay raise above and beyond what the contract called for that year because they realized they were not paying competitively, and were subsequently losing valuable employees.

As you may know, you cannot be punished, harassed, discriminated against or terminated for supporting the union. At the same time, you cannot be punished, harassed, discriminated against or terminated by the union for opposing it. In a right-to-work state, the union is legally bound to represent all employees fairly in their “bargaining agreement”. They are legally required to represent non-union member employees the same as member employees. This means that if the petition fails to remove the union and you signed it, they will still have to represent you. This is the law. You cannot be harassed or discriminated against for signing the petition.

Do you know where union dues go and what a membership represents and supports? There is a myth that the Local 800 cannot donate money to political causes. However, the union is a member of organizations that can. The local 800 belongs to the IUOE (International Union of Operating Engineers), the IUOE runs a PAC (political action committee) called EPEC. According to opensecrets.org, in 2012 EPEC donated $2,040,489 to Democrats and $421,400 to Republicans, in the House and Senate races. The IUOE belongs to the AFL-CIO, which runs a “Super-PAC” called Workers’ Voices. In 2012, this Super-PAC donated $3,380,100 for the Democrats and $602 for Republicans. Of that, $1,474,146 went to President Obama and $564 went to Romney, with the remainder going to other political candidates. Labor unions are very politically active. Do they represent your beliefs?

We cannot use company resources for this project. Communication must be on personal time (lunch room, parking lot, etc…) and outside the work place. The workforce cannot be disrupted. No posting of this petition or information about it is allowed on company property. It must be a grass roots effort spread by word-of-mouth. Encourage others to get involved and stand for what they believe. Both union members and non-union members alike can sign this petition.


For more resources go to nlrb.gov (National Labor Relations Board) and nrtw.org (National Right to Work)

A letter from a union employee

To My Fellow Union Members

I am proud to say that I have worked at Wyoming Machinery Company for 14 years, and for the last 10 years, I have been a member of the union here at Wyoming Machinery Company. I originally joined the union so that I could make sure my values and opinions were being represented during bargaining and negotiations, I felt that the money I spent in dues would be money well spent to have my opinion and views represented. I and many of my union peers now feel that this has not been accomplished; the union continues to cater to the needs, wants, and fears of the few, and not the many.

The union has exhausted many resources to protect people for inexcusable acts, rather than encourage positive behavior that strengthens our teams; they have fought for benefits that are not necessarily valued by the majority. Some of the "tactics" used, such as filing nonsense grievances that often go against the opinion of the member's wishes, to serve the needs of those negotiating; these tactics are better suited for Detroit Michigan rather than here in Wyoming.

I recently attended a vote held by the union to ratify the contract presented to the union by the company, a contract that we now know was voted down; can anyone tell you why the majority voted against it?  No, probably not.  Very few were asked what they would like to have changed in the contract, and why.

Please ask yourself this question, has Wyoming Machinery Company ever done anything to lead you to believe that they would treat its employees poorly at the first opportunity? My answer is no, to the contrary in fact, I have witnessed time and time again, a company and management that has gone above and beyond their contractual obligations, to take the best care of its employees. We all know someone, or ourselves have received extra attention at a time of need, family problems, or were recognized for some great individual accomplishment.

In today's world, we are protected by thousands of laws that prevent companies from mistreating its employees, from favoring one over another unjustly, preventing discrimination, etc. However, the union would have you believe that they are the only thing standing between you and the 1920s.

I would like to share one final thought, no matter what your stand is on the union issue, or any other political issues, PLEASE don't forget who we are and the standard we are held to, please show your fellow employees the same respect that you would extend to our most important customers, or even the owner of this company.

Thank you

Petition to download

    CLICK HERE for a printable copy of the petition.   Although there is room for multiple signatures on the petition, you don't have to have more than one signature.  You can print it, sign it, and send in the petition with just your signature.