No Public Subsidies for Union Busting!

ALBANY, NY (02/11/2014)(readMedia)-- Local labor unions and community members will join the Capital District Area Labor Federation (CDALF, AFL-CIO) today, as we stage a Gate Rally in support of workers at M&G Duravent who are currently organizing to join the Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA) Local 83. M&G Duravent, who recently received $1 million in tax-payer subsidies, is responding to their employees organizing efforts by engaging in what have become all-too-common union-busting antics.

Over the past several months M & G Duravent employees have grown strong support for joining the SMWIA Local 83, despite the misleading and dishonest anti-union propaganda they've faced from their employer, who has even distributed flyers urging employees not to join the Union.

M&G Duravent's behavior towards their employees' organizing efforts is particularly concerning considering the over $1 million in taxpayer subsidies the company received just a short time ago, as an incentive to stay in the Capital Region. As our social safety net and publicly funded institutions are shrinking, New York's communities, workers, and taxpayers cannot afford to pay out subsidies to businesses and corporations that do not respect their employees' right to collectively bargain for respect, dignity, safety, and adequate wages.

The local labor movement recognizes that all honest work is dignified and that all workers deserve respect. Together with local community leaders and elected officials, local unions are standing in solidarity with M&G Duravent's hardworking employees, and demanding accountability from businesses operating on the benefit of tax-payer subsidies.

According to Mary Sullivan, President of the Capital District Area Labor Federation (CDALF, AFL-CIO), "Hardworking men and women deserve the ability to advocate and negotiate together in their workplace. Collective Bargaining isn't just a legal right, but is essential to growing and sustaining the quality jobs that will mend our damaged economy. The 100,000 union-represented men and women we represent know this, and that's why we are all standing united with the workers of M&G Duravent."