ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996                  TAG: 9603010020
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: G-1  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER 

UAW HAS HAD RECENT 'STRING OF LOSSES'

In the past two years, the United Auto Workers has tried and failed five times to organize companies that supply parts or services to Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corp.'s factory in Dublin.

The powerful national union already represents more than 1,000 workers at the Pulaski County assembly plant and wanted to represent more at smaller companies that support the operation.

"It's been a great string of losses. There's no doubt about it," said Frank Stoner, the organizer who oversaw the campaigns. "People, they call us for help and when it comes time to vote the union in, for some reason, they don't vote it in."

Though truck plant production employees affiliated with the Detroit-based UAW in 1973, the UAW had detected little recent interest in forming other union locals elsewhere in Western Virginia, until about two years ago.

Around that time, Stoner, who is based in Hagerstown, Md., began fielding calls from workers in Western Virginia who seemed to share one complaint: They didn't like the treatment they were getting from their bosses, Stoner said.

"They're just fed up being treated like slaves or whatever you want to call it," he said in an interview.

Stoner stressed that he didn't "knock on anybody's door" and that some workers at each company requested each organizing drive he began. In fact, elections were scheduled only after at least 75 percent of the eligible workers signed union cards to indicate interest in forming a union, Stoner said.

Findlay Industries Inc. in Dublin, a maker of automotive interior trim, did not oppose a two- to three-month campaign last year to organize its employees but made a point to answer questions workers had for management, plant manager Jack Chaffin said. The strategy apparently worked. The workers called off the election several days before the vote.

At Fontaine Modifications Inc. of Dublin, the site of the most recent campaign, the union activity left a sore spot with general manager Paul Kokalis, who estimated his company spent at least $80,000 on legal fees and other costs associated with opposing the union. In last month's vote, four voted for creation of a union and 15 voted against.

The company took the position it did, Kokalis said, because it could not afford to pay wages the union would have demanded and still provide vehicle finishing services at the price Volvo GM is willing to pay.

"I can't pay $17 an hour," said Kokalis, who added that workers still receive what he considers competitive wages of $7 to $13 per hour.

Stoner said the only common thread he can see to the union losses is that the workers "elect to give the boss another chance. For what reason I don't know."

Campaigns were also unsuccessful at MascoTech Body Systems & Assembly in Salem, which puts accessories on engines and axle systems; Beach Manufacturing in Dublin, which makes exhaust tubing, mirror brackets and exterior handles; and ASC Inc. in Dublin, which manufactures interior trim.

Stoner said he has a new campaign under way at D&S Distribution in Dublin, which prepares engines, axles and radiators for installation, but no vote has been scheduled.

LENGTH: Medium:   62 lines
ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC:  Chart: Union membership. color.