May 1, 2003

By more than a two-to-one margin, workers at BOC Gases in Ballmawr, New Jersey voted April 24 to join Local 463 in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.

The gas handlers and fillers at BOC voted 10-4 to become Teamsters. About 18 months ago, the same workers voted no to Teamster representation after the company deceived them.

After organizing the drivers at BOC Gases in 2000, an election was held for the handlers and fillers. The company went to these workers before the election and made promises about pay raises and better conditions if they voted against the union. The workers believed the company and voted no.

After the handlers and fillers saw how Local 463 negotiated a first contract for the drivers that included hourly pay increases of $2.65 per hour, resulting in an average of $1,300 in retroactive pay upon ratification, along with the strong Teamster representation, the company didn’t have a chance the second time.

“Organizing is the life blood of the Teamsters,” said Robert Ryder, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 463. “When we lose an election, we make it a point to go back again. The bosses never live up to the promises they make. They have a hard time fooling workers a second time around.”