Faucet Workers Plan March, Class-Action Complaint Over Bathroom Monitoring

CHICAGO, July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A Chicago sink manufacturer that's restricting employees' time in the bathroom is now refusing to negotiate with unionized workers until they keep quiet about the discriminatory policy.

Teamsters Local 743, which represents 140 workers at WaterSaver Faucet Co., has filed unfair labor practice charges against the company over its unreasonable demands that the union cease all contact with state regulatory agencies, including OSHA and the EEOC. Local 743 is working to negotiate a new contract and stand up for members who've been allotted just six minutes per day, or 30 minutes per week, to use the bathroom at work.

On Monday, July 28, workers will rally against WaterSaver's inhumane policy and refusal to bargain. They will then march to the Illinois Department of Human Rights to file a class-action complaint against the company's unlawful demands to silence workers and monitor their bathroom behavior.

"The company's proposals during bargaining amount to an egregious abuse of workers' rights," said Nick Kreitman, senior business representative for Local 743. "Not only are they essentially telling employees they can't use the bathroom during a full shift, they want workers to turn a blind eye to the mistreatment in order to get a new contract."

Talks over a new collective bargaining agreement have stalled as WaterSaver has refused to negotiate its recently installed bathroom tracking system. So far, a quarter of the workforce has been disciplined for using the bathroom more than 6 minutes per day during any two-week period.

Through charges with the National Labor Relations Board, Local 743 is urging the company to bargain in good faith, while seeking paid sick leave and a new progressive disciplinary policy for workers.

The Teamsters will rally at 3:30 p.m., Monday, July 28, at WaterSaver Faucet Co., 701 W. Erie St., Chicago, before marching to the Department of Human Rights, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago.

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SOURCE Teamsters Local 743