DANVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Workers at IKEA's only U.S. factory in Virginia say they want to belong to a union like thousands of Europeans who work for the Swedish furniture giant.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers say employees at Swedwood Danville voted 221-69 Wednesday to have the union represent them in collective bargaining. The National Labor Relations Board had not officially released the results.
The union put IKEA's reputation as a worker- and environment-friendly global corporate citizen to the test, describing working conditions at the Danville plant akin to those in a developing nation.
They complained of low wages, unsafe working conditions and erratic scheduling.
IKEA said the Virginia plant operated by the same principles applied in its 26 Swedwood plants in Europe.
----------
DANVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Union organizer: workers at IKEA's only US factory in Virginia support unionization.
The vote was 221 yes to 69 no.
___________________
DANVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Workers at IKEA's only U.S. manufacturing plant are deciding whether they want to unionize.
Approximately 328 workers are scheduled to vote Wednesday at Swedwood Danville, a subsidiary of the Swedish furniture giant. The results should be available late Wednesday.
Workers have been courted by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
The union has portrayed the operations of the Southside Virginia plant as in conflict with IKEA's otherwise stellar international reputation for its treatment of workers and high corporate principles.
Union organizer Bill Street has listed a range of complaints, from low wages to unsafe working conditions. He says workers are fearful of speaking out for fear of retribution.
IKEA has denied the union grievances, and says it will honor workers' wishes if they chose to unionize.
