Snorkel Workers Form Union
June 30, 2008 • Workers at Snorkel International, St. Joseph, Mo., last week voted in favor to organize a union.
According to a report in the St. Joseph News-Press there were about 400 eligible voters. Of the voters, about 59 percent approved the organization of a union. The final count was 220 in favor and 150 against.
According to a report in the St. Joseph News-Press there were about 400 eligible voters. Of the voters, about 59 percent approved the organization of a union. The final count was 220 in favor and 150 against.
Workers filed a petition in May requesting a vote to organize a labor union, according to the article, with wages, benefits and safety concerns being cited as top priorities. One man died while working at the plant on March 30.
Union officials will begin immediately to help the Snorkel workers get organized with officers and a board. Not all employees are required to belong to the union, the report said.
The decision follows the recent departure of Frank Scarborough, the company's executive vice president and chief operating officer, from the company.
