Stepan workers here on Jan. 6 voted overwhelming to unite with Stepan workers in Anaheim, Calif. who are members of UE. Together the production and maintenance and technical units voted by a 70 percent margin for union representation.

The issues of dignity, respect and a voice on the job drove the campaign among these highly skilled chemical workers. The union effort included well-attended meetings at a hotel near the plant, a cohesive, in-plant organizing committee, and union buttons worn by a majority.

The leading participation of a Stepan worker from California proved crucial to the UE victory. Byran Martindale, vice president of UE District 10 and a Local 1421 leader in the Anaheim plant, spent time with the New Jersey workforce, answering questions and explaining how UE makes a difference on the job every day.

The high-level effort overcame captive-audience meetings, including a final meeting with the CEO of the multinational company.

Stepan, a specialty chemical company, employs approximately 1,300 workers in seven countries. The company enjoys more than $700 million in annual sales. Both the Fieldsboro and Anaheim plants produce surfactants.

The production and maintenance unit voted 24 to 11 to join UE; the technical unit backed the union four to one. With this election victory, four of Stepan’s five U.S. plants are now organized.

UE Field Organizers Omar el-Malah and Jim Ermi assisted the Stepan workers in their successful organizing effort.



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