Flex-N-Gate: UAW expands Chicago footprint after workers at Flex-N-Gate vote to form union

<p>Workers at the auto parts manufacturer Flex-N-Gate's Chicago factory voted to form a union with the United Auto Workers, in elections held Thursday and Friday.</p><p>Workers voted 195-126 in favor of joining the UAW. The facility at 2924 E. 126th St. in South Deering is a major parts supplier for <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/6/24/18716255/ford-finishes-billion-dollar-chicago-expansion" >Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant,</a> located nearby on Torrence Avenue.</p><p>"The net worth of Flex-N-Gate owner Shahid Khan is $13.3 billion, but Flex-N-Gate workers in Chicago make as little as $17.50 an hour, far below the starting wage of $25.12 for UAW production workers at Ford," Flex-N-Gate's organizing committee said in a news release. Khan also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars.</p><p>The organizing committee said Flex-N-Gate launched an "aggressive anti-union campaign ... that included threats, intimidation and even firings of union supporters."</p><p>Brandon Campbell, UAW Region 4 director, said in a statement, "Management at Flex-N-Gate tried again and again to shut down the workers' fight for a union, but they stood up together and won their union voice."</p><p>A spokesperson for Flex-N-Gate didn't respond to requests for comment.</p><p>If neither workers or management objects to the results over the next seven days, the National Labor Relations Board will certify the union as the workers' bargaining representative, said the UAW.</p><p>"We are proud to welcome them to the UAW family and we are going to work night and day with them to win the strong first contract they deserve," Campbell said.</p><p>The UAW represents workers at eight other Flex-N-Gate and Ventra, a subsidiary of Flex-N-Gate, plants. The UAW members at the Ventra plant in Sandusky, Ohio, won a new contract this summer, according to the union.</p><p>Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Urbana, Flex-N-Gate is a major automotive supplier with annual revenue of $6.8 billion, according to its website. Worldwide, the company has more than 25,000 employees and 66 facilities.</p><p>Its Chicago facility <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/5/11/18333167/rahm-rauner-share-stage-but-not-school-funding-solutions" >opened in 2017</a> and promised to invest nearly $30 million in the local economy.</p>