Updated on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 at 12:33 p.m.
Afiling sent to the U.S. Department of Labor shows alleged action at the Lexington-based Webasto sunroof plant to discourage workers from potentially forming a union.
Nonprofit labor advocate LaborLab accused the international company of union busting Monday on X , formerly known as Twitter.
“We've seen this massive corporation hiring up dozens of anti-union consultants across the country,” LaborLab founder Bob Funk in a phone interview. “And at this point, spending likely hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, to beat back their workers who are just trying to have a voice on the job.”
The mandatory Agreement and Activities Report shows the plant hiring contractors from the Labor Relations Institute, a firm that helps companies “avoid organizing campaigns,” according to itswebsite. It was filed August 25 by the consulting firm, with the work starting July 30.
The labor organization named in the filing is United Auto Workers 771, which is based out of Michigan. Custodians, shipping and receiving workers, hi-lo drivers and shift captains are among the workers involved.
Webasto’s headquarters has not responded to a request for comment as of this story’s original publication.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect a comment provided by LaborLab to WEKU Thursday morning.
