The American Flint Glass Workers Union (AFGWU) and the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) have announced a tentative merger agreement, which would make them one of the largest unions representing g…
The American Flint Glass Workers Union (AFGWU) and the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) have announced a tentative merger agreement, which would make them one of the largest unions representing glass workers in the United States. It is the second agreement of its kind for the Steelworkers, following the merger of the Aluminum, Brick & Glass Workers (ABG) union into the USWA in 1997. “We have common employers and we“ve been working together in coordinated bargaining,” said AFGWU National President Tim Tuttle. “We“ve also been on joint organizing drives, offering union membership to unorganized workers in the glass industry.” “We“ve approached this merger with a single question – “What is the best for the membership?“” said USWA International President Leo W. Gerard. “We are impressed by the outstanding leadership of the AFGWU. Their staff fits right in with our organization and we“re looking forward to their strong contribution.” “We“ve received warm greetings at the membership meetings we“ve attended,” Gerard said. “In the age of the multinational corporation and global markets, workers understand the need for a large international union to speak for them.” The USWA represents 1.2 million active and retired workers in the U.S. and Canada. The AFGWU is a national union with more than 12,000 active members in the U.S. Its headquarters are in Toledo, Ohio.