Brylane workers get support from labor board

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/10/2002 2:43:00 PM

Indianapolis — Brylane employees scored a victory of sorts when Region 25 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced that there will not be a secret ballot election for union representation at the company's distribution facilities here.

The company had requested an election but the NLRB's decision reaffirms workers' rights to choose union representation without employer interference. The National Labor Relations Act allows workers to pursue an election or card-check process to determine union representation.

Since October, Brylane workers have been organizing with the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees. Employees chose to pursue a neutral card-check process that would allow the employer to recognize their demand for union representation by verifying if there is a majority of signed union cards.