Ikea Assignment
Read the Los Angeles Times article (see below) on the situation at the Ikea plant in Virginia. Then briefly but completely answer these questions (meaning no quotation from outside sources—use your own words). Five points per question.
- What are the issues driving the workers’ desire to organize?
- What has the company done to create the desire to organize among workers?
- Why do you think that Ikea located its plant in Danville, Virginia?
- Ikea’s “IWAY” rules state the following:
13.1 Freedom of association
The IKEA supplier shall ensure that workers are not prevented from associating freely.
13.2 Collective bargaining
The IKEA supplier shall not prevent workers from exercising collective bargaining activities.
Clarifications: Collective bargaining is defined as negotiations between employer and worker representatives (freely and independently chosen by the workers).
=======
(continue question 4): If this is the case, explain Ikea’s hiring of the law firm Jackson Lewis, whose website proclaims “Jackson Lewis has been retained to advise many employers who have succeeded in winning NLRB elections or in avoiding union elections altogether.”
5. What effect will the plant’s being in the State of Virginia have upon the union if it becomes the representative of the Ikea workers?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-work_law
6. What issues would you use in an organizing campaign if you were the union? Do some online research on Ikea’s practices at plants around the world before you respond.
References
International Association of Machinists website: http://www.goiam.org/index.php/headquarters/departments/woodworkers/swedwood-ikea
IWAY doctrine: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/pdf/SCGlobal_IWAYSTDVers4.pdf
Los Angeles Times article: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/10/business/la-fi-ikea-union-20110410
Comments