How and when Beaumont ExxonMobil workers can vote to decide on the future of union representation at the complex has now been decided, according to the company.
In a Monday evening update to employees, ExxonMobil announced that regional administration from the U.S. National Labor Review Board approved a mail-in secret ballot for its decertification election and workers could expect ballots to be delivered to their homes sometime after Nov. 12.
Once delivered, both full members of the United Steelworkers Union and non-members represented under their contract with ExxonMobil will have until Dec. 22 to deliver their vote determining whether they want to keep or end representation from their Local 13-243.
“Please make sure your voice is heard — plan to vote and mail your ballot back to the NLRB shortly after you receive it,” the company said in a bulletin to workers.
An employee-led notice and a petition with over 30% of the represented workforce was required to start the process, which finally happened on Oct. 6.
The NLRB has been verifying the signatures and organizing with the parties involved before officially setting the election timeline and methods.
A decertification movement has been brewing since before over 620 workers were locked out of the complex on May 1, and has been the subject of several complaints filed to the NLRB against both the company and the union.
ExxonMobil has previously said it would only consider ending the lockout of represented workers if a contract was ratified by membership or if workers decided to end union representation.
After USW membership decided to reject the company’s amended offer in an Oct. 19 election, the company swiftly shifted its messaging focus to reminding workers about the upcoming move to decertify.
“The good news is that soon you will have the opportunity to vote again — in a decertification election,” ExxonMobil representatives wrote in a Friday evening bulletin to employees. “This time, your vote will determine whether you want to put an end to Union irresponsibility, pressure on your loved ones, and unnecessary risks, such as strikes and lockouts.”
The USW and the company confirmed to the Enterprise last week that they would be meeting at the negotiation table Tuesday, which the union administration hoped would eventually result in a better offer to bring to membership for a vote.
ExxonMobil set a Nov. 1 deadline in its first-ever amended offer delivered last month. Potential bonuses, raises or arbitration for terminated employees will be removed if a ratified contract in isn’t in hand by that time.
After the election, representatives with the company told the Enterprise its offer would still be on the table following the deadline, but there weren't any plans to change its offer anytime soon.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com
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