TROY, Mo. — The United Auto Workers announced Wednesday more than 30% of non-union workers at the Troy, Missouri, Toyota plant signed union authorization cards. It marks the first Toyota in the country to do so.
Dr. Doug Swanson is a field specialist in labor and workforce development at University of Missouri Extension. He says he was not too surprised with the recent UAW strike.
"It was kind of expected in some ways after seeing the outcome of the UAW strike last year," Dr. Swanson said.
United Auto Workers released a campaign called "We Keep Toyota Running". Employees say in the video "People say Toyota engines last forever. Here in Troy Missouri, we know what makes that possible".
The video details the concerns workers have, including safety issues and low wages while building cylinders for car engines.
“The plant is not safe,” said Jaye Hochuli, a team leader at the plant. “They had me crawl under a deck to clean out the sand and silica dust and chemicals that come out of the machines. It was a confined space. I should’ve been in a respirator and a hazmat suit. All they gave me was a KN-95 mask. I came home and that dust was in my hair, on my clothes, in my underwear. How can the richest car company in the world not follow basic safety practices? We’re organizing to fix what’s wrong and win the protection we need.”
The union says Troy workers received a pay increase after workers for the Big Three automakers went on strike last year.
Non-union Troy workers are still making more than $4 an hour less than unionized workers.
"By [companies] paying more money you're going to keep the talent in your factory. That's what we would expect to see when or if Toyota is successful. As more of the auto manufacturing becomes unionized, the non-union auto manufacturers are going to have a difficult time retaining that talent," Dr. Swanson said.
UAW International president Shawn Fain testified in front of Congress in November last year, detailing his thoughts on non-union companies.
"They're scared that their workers will see a better life and the companies are trying to head that off. They use fear, uncertainty, division to try to break the unions and I promise you, those days are over," Fain said.
Dr. Swanson says if Toyota workers are successful in joining the union, it could help Troy's economy.
"If workers have more money to spend, they're going to spend it in groceries in the stores, in the communities where they live," Dr. Swanson said.
Toyota in Troy is joining three other non-union plants nationwide, totaling 10,000 workers where they have gone public with their campaign: A Volkswagen plant in Tennessee and Mercedes and Hyundai plants in Alabama.
5 On Your Side sent a request to comment to UAW, we are still awaiting their response.
Toyota's Statement:
"Toyota has no way to verify or determine the accuracy of the statements made by the UAW. We do not believe a third party at our manufacturing facilities would enhance the results, stability or team member experience that we have achieved together. We are confident that with all of the facts, our team members would not choose union representation."