Workers at Greco Steel Products Inc initiated an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike on April 28, protesting what they describe as persistent illegal conduct by the company and its representatives. The strike, which has the full backing of the Iron Workers Union, comes after Greco employees overwhelmingly voted to unionize with the Iron Workers International Union in a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election held in October 2024.

The NLRB, the U.S. government agency responsible for overseeing labor relations, certified the union election results. However, the Iron Workers Union alleges that Greco Steel Products has since engaged in a series of retaliatory and obstructive actions aimed at undermining the workers' decision and delaying negotiations.

According to their released presser, these alleged unfair labor practices include reducing employee work hours, implementing unjustified layoffs, and employing intimidation tactics directed at workers prior to the union election. Furthermore, the union claims that Greco Steel filed what they deem as "frivolous objections" with the NLRB, solely intended to stall the bargaining process and disregard the clear mandate of its employees.

Jerry Harris, a six-year employee at Greco Steel and a single father, voiced his frustrations, stating, "I'm standing up because we deserve better pay and a voice on the job. I am a single father trying to raise a child on low wages. I work hard at a full-time job while the cost of living keeps going up. I feel like I'm being taken advantage of by Greco with these low wages." Harris's statement underscores the core issues driving the strike: fair compensation and the desire for collective bargaining power through union representation.

The Iron Workers Union, which represents 130,000 ironworkers across North America in various sectors including construction of bridges, structural steel, and fabrication shops, has thrown its weight behind the striking Greco workers. The union asserts that Greco Steel's alleged actions constitute a clear violation of labor laws designed to protect workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively.

The ULP strike signifies a significant escalation in the dispute between the Greco Steel workforce and the company's management. Such strikes are typically initiated when a union believes an employer has committed unfair labor practices, and they can continue until the issues are resolved or an agreement is reached. The NLRB may investigate the union's claims of unfair labor practices, and if found to be valid, could issue orders requiring the company to cease such activities and potentially take other remedial actions.