Welcome

We have great news for you! We are here to help you make the time you spend working better. With union representation you have a voice at work. A voice that will help you get better benefits, a safer workplace and job security. We employ highly trained professional people to help you in every aspect of your journey. Whether you are already one of our members or wanting to become one of our members, please browse our website to help us help you.

ICWUC/UFCW Helps Haiti

The ICWUC has donated $5,000.00 to Haiti to assist the people in that country involved in the recent earthquake devastataion.

Please contact ICWUC President Cyphers at (330) 926-1444 or by email at icwuchq@icwuc.org if you have any local union members who are Haitian immigrants and have families who were directly affected by the earthquake so we may guide donations to their families in Haiti.

ICWUC/UFCW Local 45C Wins $1 Million Case Before Fourth Circuit

Local 45C of the Chemical Workers Council of the UFCW in New Martinsville, W. Va., last week won a $1 million case before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

In a 3-0 decision, the Fourth Circuit reinstated an award previously overturned by the Federal District Court.

As background, Local 45C members at PPG's Natrium W. Va. plant went on strike from September 2005 to February 2006. But after Local 45C and PPG resolved the strike and agreed on a new contract, the company refused to pay bonuses agreed upon in the Bonus Plan to striking employees. Local 45C filed a grievance seeking payment of the bonuses, and the matter proceeded to arbitration. The arbitrator agreed with Local 45C and issued his order and opinion awarding relief to Local 45C. The company contested the decision in the District Court. The District Court overturned the arbitrator's decision. Local 45C filed an appeal which resulted in last week's ruling.

Barring an overturn by the Fourth Circuit or the Supreme Court, about 400 employees at PPG's Natrium, W. Va., plant will receive a bonus of about $2,700 each, or a total of approximately $1 million.

Local 427 Organizing Efforts

While in North Carolina recently President Cyphers had the opportunity, along with Representative/Recorder Chuck Denny, to visit Local 427C in Morganton, N.C. Local 427C represents members at SGL Carbon, LLC. Their principal products are carbon, graphite, and composite materials. President Reel recently provided Rep. Denny with organizing contacts at Aramark, Inc. located in Charlotte, NC and has began making house calls with Rep. Denny in order to form an in-plant organizing committee there. Way to go, Local 427C! The ICWUC will certainly be there to support your organizing efforts in any way possible.

Pictured here are, from left to right, Gary Carswell, Local 427c Sec. Treas., Rep. Chuck Denny, President Cyphers, and James Reel Jr., Local 427c President.

Local 261 - Rocket Center, West Virginia

Recently I was invited into Rocket Center, West Virginia by leadership from Local 261c. Local 261c represents our members employed by Allegheny Ballistics Labs, ATK Techsystems. They produce rocket motors and other items for our military, such as motors for various guided missiles and other types of ordinances, medium caliber ammunition of a specialty nature, fuses for hand grenades and anti-tank and heavy equipment warheads. After receiving a tour of the facility and meeting many of our members I was introduced to the management people at this facility and we held a brief meeting. Then I spent some time with the Local union leadership here privately to address their needs.

I was extremely impressed with all involved with this facility. The relationship between union and management personnel was very good and problem solving techniques were very well developed at this location. But I was most impressed by the patriotism and pride in their work by our members. Our members at this location do not see the final results of their work. It is tested and then goes right into the field where our military people depend on our members work for their lives. If an ordinance fails in the field it always has catastrophic results for our military. And as a former Viet Nam veteran with the U.S. Marine Corps I came away from this facility with a knowledge I never had before, that being, all the support from people I never saw and never met that were there standing behind me and our troops in combat. It really made me feel our troops are in good hands. I think we can all sleep a little better knowing that the good members of Local 261c are on the job taking care of our troops who take care of us. Good job and many, many thanks to the members of Local 261c for what you do!
Due to the sensitive nature of the facility a lot of picture taking is not allowed. Pictured here, left to right, are Herb Crawford, President, Local 261c, President Frank Cyphers, Rick Dyer, Recorder, and Ron Moore, International Representative. Sec. Treas. Greg Villanova and Sec. Treas. Bill Kimble could not be present.