General Cable Threatens Workers' Jobs During Contract Negotiations

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Mar 14, 2013, 01:26 ET

Teamsters Local 727 Files Labor Board Charges Against Global Giant

DES PLAINES, Ill., March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 727 representatives are fighting to stop global giant General Cable from closing its Des Plaines, Ill., plant, where 70 workers voted last August to join the Teamsters.

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The union filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board against General Cable (NYSE: BGC) on March 8.

"It is illegal for management to affect the terms and conditions of work because of union activity, and that is what General Cable has done," said John Coli Jr., President of Teamsters Local 727. "We hope the labor board will do the right thing and help us stop this massive corporation from destroying the livelihoods of these hardworking men and women."

According to the company's financial report, General Cable's total assets as of June 29, 2012, totaled more than $4.5 billion. In the fourth quarter of 2012 alone, the company chalked up revenue of $1.6 billion and reported sales were 17 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2011.

General Cable management claims it has been considering closing the Des Plaines plant since the facility was purchased. However, it was only after the plant workers voted to join the Teamsters and contract negotiations began that the company decided to conduct a "feasibility study."

"The only thing we can do is fight," Coli said. "We will turn over every leaf and explore every possible avenue in order to protect our new members' jobs."

The sides are scheduled to meet again March 15.

Teamsters Local 727 represents more than 6,400 workers throughout the Chicago area.

SOURCE Teamsters Local 727