Shipyard staffers vote on union this week

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - As close to 300 Guam Shipyard workers prepare to vote tomorrow on whether they want union representation, this afternoon the company issued a press release opposing union representation for its employees. The release states that for the past 16 years Guam Shipyard has supported its employees and treated them as family and that the company firmly believes that its employees will not benefit from joining the union, especially during these economic hard times. 

Tomorrow's vote will be administered by the National Labor Relations Board. The Shipyard workers will decide if they want union representation from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  Local union organizer Kenneth Laguana says union representation will give the workers a collective voice and benefits.  

The IBEW says they can help provide the workers better wages, better benefits and a contract. The election is tomorrow from 6-9am and again from 3-6pm. Votes will be tallied that evening.