Over the weekend, workers at Nichiha in Macon, Georgia, voted to unionize with the Boilermakers union. More than 250 workers participated in the vote, with 55% voting in favor of the union. Nichiha is known for manufacturing fiber cement siding panels used primarily in residential construction.
The organizing efforts were led by Southeast Area Organizer Carlos Brooks, who utilized various tactics such as texting and social media campaigns alongside traditional methods like fliers. Brooks emphasized maintaining a Boilermaker presence at the Nichiha facility to engage with workers directly.
“This was a highly vocal campaign,” Brooks stated. “I spent significant time at the gates and responding to employees’ concerns via text messages.”
Brooks noted that during the campaign, workers expressed serious concerns about their work environment, including unfulfilled promises of raises, unsafe and hot working conditions, and unfair promotion practices. Attempts by Nichiha to discredit the Boilermakers union did not succeed.
“The success of this campaign was led by Brother Brooks and assisted by Erica Stewart (Diversity Organizer and Recruiting Coordinator, M.O.R.E. WIF),” said Don Hamric, Executive Director-ISO/Director of Research and Collective Bargaining. “They used their years of experience as union leaders to listen to the employees’ grievances and offered suggestions on how to combat those grievances.”
Several members from Brooks’ home local L-D23 (Clinchfield, Georgia) also contributed: Retiree Milton Taylor, Secretary-Treasurer Edwin Allen Jr., and Trustee Chairman Riccardo Askew.
“Ultimately, Nichiha workers’ unity and determination made this win possible,” Brooks said. “It’s a milestone that will shape a better future for them and their families, and it’s the beginning of positive changes ahead.”
This victory follows another successful campaign led by Brooks at Sherwin-Williams in Birmingham, Alabama. He initiated this effort simultaneously with ongoing efforts at Trojan Battery in Stonecrest, Georgia. The M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund has supported these initiatives.
“I’m excited about the future of our union and the futures of these workers who are joining us as Boilermaker brothers and sisters,” Brooks said. “This organizing work makes me proud to be a union Boilermaker. These are more hard-working Americans who will have the voice on the job they deserve.”
