R.J. Reynolds Tobacco workers vote down union representation

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco workers vote down union representation

October 21, 2011 | Keri Brown

The preliminary results show a close vote. The company says 686 employees voted against and 556 voted for representation by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union. The company says there were no challenged ballots.
The unions filed a joined petition with the labor board on Sept. 12. The secret-ballot vote took place during shifts at Whitaker Park and Tobaccoville beginning Thursday and wrapped up Friday at 2:30 a.m.
Reynolds said 1,320 employees were eligible to vote, and 94 percent of that total cast their ballots.
"The average salary and bonus of the individuals who were eligible to vote was more than $70,000 and that is much higher than the average manufacturing salaries within North Carolina , so our employees undertood that despite the hard economic times that we find ourself in and the companies continued commitment to grow our business that they ultimately decided to work as a team with management," said Maura Payne, Vice President of Communications for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco.

This is the third time in six years that a majority of the company's employees voted against union representation. The vote must be certified by the National Labor Relations Board, which is expected to take a week.