Letter to The Honorable John F. Ring, Chairman of National Labor Relations Board - AFTER REMINGTON UNION HUDDLE, BRINDISI ANNOUNCES PUSH FOR FED INVESTIGATION INTO LAYOFFS; CONGRESSMAN SAYS ACTIONS BY REMINGTON AND HEDGE FUND OWNER DEMAND FEDS PROBE LAY-OFF PROCESS TO ENSURE BENEFITS LIKE WORKER PENSIONS & HEALTHCARE ARE PROTECTED
Letter
Dear Chairman Ring:
I write in support of the hardworking men and women of the Ilion, New York plant of Remington Arms. As you may know, on October 23, 2020, Remington Outdoor Company announced it would be terminating the employment of the Ilion plant's 585 workers, cutting off their health care and other contractual benefits at the end of the month. Remington also announced it would not pay severance and accrued vacation benefits to these workers, despite a contractual obligation with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). I am calling on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to investigate this matter and determine whether the company has engaged in unfair labor practices that require remediation and action.
The workers at the Ilion plant have earned their benefits through many years producing of quality products in the Mohawk Valley. I firmly stand with the workers who have been predicting for months that the company will try to use its bankruptcy proceeding to take away benefits that have been collectively bargained, or deny the safety rights of workers who've made the company profitable over the years. Unfortunately, those predictions have been borne out.
This decision by Remington is an affront to union jobs everywhere. While I understand that the UMWA Local Union 717 has already filed a series of grievances under their collective bargaining agreement and that many of these decisions will be made by a bankruptcy court, I believe that the NLRB has a duty to investigate this case on behalf of these workers. This betrayal of the rights their union fought for is unacceptable and cannot stand.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Anthony Brindisi
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