NLRB seeks to prosecute Auto-Chlor

SEATTLE, WA (August 20, 2024) — The Regional office of the National Labor Relations Board is undertaking litigation seeking prosecution of Auto-Chlor management related to unlawful treatment of employees, per the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the union that has been assisting these workers in their organizing drive for over two years.

Throughout the process, it is alleged that Auto-Chlor engaged in certain illegal acts including discrimination, mistreatment, interrogation, threats, surveillance, maintaining unlawful work rules, and denying its employees union representation when requested. 

 “We’ve been assisting these hardworking and determined employees for over 2 years,” said Shannon Hagen, an organizer with IBEW local 46. “The company has systematically disciplined, terminated and interfered with their rights to form a union and seek improvements to their working conditions.”

In response to the ongoing treatment of Auto-Chlor employees, the IBEW has conducted a series of picket lines at company locations in Kent (6840 S. 196th Street), Tacoma (9520 Front Street S) and Everett (2310 112th St. SW) on August 19th, 2 – 5pm and August 20th 7 – 10am.

Additional picket times and locations are still to be announced by the union — community members are encouraged to join. 

“We are tired of the always increasing workloads, pressure to get more done with less, more and more time away from our families, and not being compensated at market value for our skills and the profits we bring to the company,” said Dametrius Ballarad, an Auto-Chlor Technician.

You can learn more about IBEW 46 at ibew46.com.