Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 6, 1995 TAG: 9505080068
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
They turned down the union by a 157-105 vote in an election conducted Thursday and Friday. The union's defeat is by approximately the same margin as two years ago.
Medeco President Tim Layton said Friday the company was pleased with the outcome.
"I don't believe the union can be of any value to our employees or to Medeco Security Locks," Dennis Taggart, Medeco's vice president of human resources, added.
However, Chuck Van Dellen, the IUE's District One secretary-treasurer, said the union is giving some thought to challenging the election. He said he doesn't know when that decision will be made.
"It's extremely difficult to win an election with the high-powered lawyers" the company pays to fight the union, he said.
It's possible the union may try another organizing drive at Medeco, Van Dellen said. "That depends on the company and the feeling of the employees." Under federal law, another election could be held after a year passes.
Medeco was founded in Salem in 1968 by local businessmen and now is a subsidiary of Hillenbrand Industries Inc. of Batesville, Ind. The company employees more than 400 people at its Salem plant.
The International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers has several local unions in Western Virginia and represents area employees at plants operated by ITT Corp., General Electric Co., Alcatel and Hubbell Lighting.
by CNB