MACON, Ga.—A National Labor Relations Board hearing officer is recommending certification of a recent employee vote to unionize a Kumho Tire USA Inc. manufacturing plant in Georgia.
The United Steelworkers indicated a Nov. 10 report by a NLRB hearing officer recommended overruling company objections and certifying the voting results that saw union support by the narrowest of margins. The matter now goes to a NLRB regional director for consideration, the union said.
USW, in revealing the hearing officer's moves, called for the company to begin negotiations on a contract.
Kumho declined comment.
The union and Kumho have been locked in what has become a years-long battle regarding organization of workers at the Macon facility.
USW claimed victory this summer when contested ballots from a September 2019 vote were opened. Union backers had a 141-137 lead heading into consideration of 13 contested ballots. The NLRB ultimately determined that 11 of those ballots should be counted, and organizers eked out an apparent 145-144 victory for USW representation.