Montpelier Workers Join IWW
Submitted on Wed, 07/20/2005 - 3:04am
Montpelier, July 18 - Dozens of Montpelier workers, formerly members of the MDWU (UE Local 221) are reorganizing their union into an Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Local. Our union will now be organizing workers not only in the downtown, but also throughout the capital region. To reflect this expansion of our organizing scope, our union will now be known as the "Montpelier Workers Union." This union is no longer affiliated with the United Electrical Workers or the Vermont Workers' Center.
Our decision to merge with the IWW is based in part by the fact that this union has been organizing similar geographic unions throughout the continent for the past three years. In Philadelphia, the South Street Workers Union claims hundreds of supporters, and dues paying members in a many different city shops. In Wisconsin the Madison Downtown Workers Union is currently organizing across the city much like in Montpelier. We look forward to being in the same international labor union as these like-minded organizations. We intend on learning from each other, and therefore emerging as a strong and united voice of working people throughout Vermont, the U.S. and beyond.
The Montpelier Workers' Union retains members in shops throughout the capital. Since deciding to affiliate with the IWW our union has in fact gained members in a number of shops, which previously, under the UE, had no union representation. It is our expectation that total union membership will surpass previous levels in the coming months. We look forward to continuing the "citywide grievance procedure" and gaining contracts in new shops.