Kutztown, Pa. (September 12, 2018) -- Today marks the first day that the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) represents Advance Auto Parts (AAP) warehouse workers in Berks County.

On September 7 and September 11, approximately 500 workers in the warehouse’s collective bargaining unit voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining LIUNA Local Union 1310 with a vote of 291 to 131.

After workers showed strong support to organize, LIUNA filed a petition for this election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on August 10, 2018.

“The most rewarding victories are often the ones that present the most challenges, and Advance Auto Parts is one of those scenarios,” said Dennis Martire, LIUNA Vice President and Regional Manager of the Mid-Atlantic. “The workers did not allow themselves to be fooled again by the company’s empty promises and I’m proud to have them a part of our union.”

In 2017, AAP workers and LIUNA held their first election with the NLRB with a different result. After an anti-union campaign by AAP, LIUNA lost by a vote of 278 to 199, a much smaller margin than LIUNA won with this time. When workers realized AAP only told them what they wanted to hear with no intention of following through just to get them to vote against the union, the workers knew they made a mistake.

“Our situation didn’t improve after the first election, and that’s why so many more of us voted for LIUNA in this election and are excited for LIUNA representation,” said Mario Cabrera, AAP warehouse worker for eight years. “I know other warehouse workers in the area are facing the same problems we have and a union can help them the same way LIUNA is helping us.”

Workers and LIUNA together will now work with AAP to come to an agreement that addresses the workers’ pay, health insurance, and working conditions.

“The win reflects a growing union movement in the area,” said Tony Seiwell, Business Manager, Eastern Pennsylvania Laborers’ District Council. “It should signal to employers that workers will unite until they are heard and respected, and LIUNA will always be there to guide and protect workers in their fight for their rights.”

Contact Chuck Clarke:

cclarke@maliuna.org; 570-762-4778

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The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Mid-Atlantic Region represents more than 40,000 working men and women predominantly in the construction industry in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Virginia and North Carolina