YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Calls from a "substantial" number of employees spurred the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers to file applications Monday with the National Labor Relations Board in a move that could result in workers voting to accept or reject union representation at Exal Corp.'s plant here, a labor official says.
"Employees contacted us and said they wanted to have a voice," said Dennis Wright, business representative and organizer for District Lodge 54 of the Machinists union. "They want a contract, a labor agreement."
The union filed with the NLRB yesterday and awaits the agency's response, Wright said. "There'll be a conversation with the NLRB about when and where to have the election, where employees can vote and who is eligible to vote. All of that needs to be processed."
Once these details are in place, Exal employees will vote for or against union representation. In June, they voted 249 to 87 against joining the Teamsters union.
Despite those results, Wright said that he remains confident the Machinists union will be successful. "We feel good about it, and a substantial number of employees called us. They're a good group of people and they want to have a say in the workplace," he said.
Exal Corp. manufactures aluminum containers for the beverage and aerosol industries and employs about 400 in its plant at Performance Place Business Park on Poland Avenue. The plant, constructed in 1993, has undergone several expansions since and is often touted as one of the city's corporate success stories.
The company declined to comment on the union drive.
Wright said the union would like to schedule a vote within 42 days, but acknowledges delays often arise. "Our goal is 42 days, but a lot of things can happen," he said.
Pictured: Exal Corp.'s headquarters at Performance Place Business Park in Youngstown.
Copyright 2015 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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