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Shipyard Local Slams Door on Union-Busting

February 13, 2009 

A February agreement between Pascagoula, Miss., Local 733 and a subcontractor that provides manpower to Northrop Grumman’s Ingalls Shipyard has restored union rights to more than 300 union members and a total of more than $45,000 in back pay. 

The settlement resolved NLRB charges filed in 2005 contending that the contractor, Ameri-Force, failed to honor a contract between one of its subsidiary companies, Certified Employees Services International (CESI) and Local 733.

Organized by Local 733 in 2000, CESI supplied a force of temporary electricians and cable pullers to the yard to supplement core workers in the 1,700-member bargaining unit who build military vessels.  CESI workers were limited to peak demand projects, mostly under 190 days in duration.  While they couldn’t displace core workers, many were hired for permanent openings, providing them upward mobility in pay and job security.

All that changed in 2006.  Northrop Grumman cancelled its contract with CESI and brought in CESI’s parent company, Ameri-Force, a nonunion contractor that supplies electronic and technical services to Northrop Grumman’s widespread holdings from Maui, Hawaii to Alabama.  Ameri-Force hired CESI’s workers, but refused to recognize their grievance procedure or contractual obligations with Local 733.

With the backing of the IBEW Government Employees Department, and legal counsel, Local 733 filed charges against Ameri-Force for failing to negotiate over mandatory subjects of bargaining.

The settlement agreement makes the workers whole for all earnings lost.  Ameri-Force was directed to post notices in the yard recognizing the union as the exclusive bargaining agent and promising to refrain from further coercion of its employees.

“This was a victory for all labor,” says Chico McGill, Director, IBEW Government Employees Department, who expects the settlement to open up new opportunities to organize more Ameri-Force work sites.  “Whenever employers resort to illegal corporate maneuvers to escape their obligations under the National Labor Relations Act, we will fight until justice is served,” says McGill.