For over a decade
efforts have been made to unionize the Nissan automotive plant in Canton, MS. Workers want to be able to negotiate over pensions, bonuses, and sharing the profits when the company performs well. While some people may or may not support an effort to unionize the Nissan plant, a more serious problem is rearing it's head. Instead of leaving the matter to an up or down vote, workers have been said to face intimidation to tilt the scales on when votes can be taken, how votes can be taken, and whether retaliation awaits workers who vote to unionize.
Nissan has often said it's workers overwhelmingly oppose unionization, but has not seemed willing to face a clean vote without sprinkling intimidation into the picture.
Interestingly, a new Report shows that Nissan will receive $1.3 billion in taxpayer
handouts credits and incentives. As reported in the
MS Business Journal, the Mississippi Development Authority claims the study exaggerates the State's tax burden. Unfortunately, they have not offered to show their alternative calculations.
On May 17, 2013 Nissan has stated they would respond later.
Nissan still has not addressed the issues a week later and workers still wait on a fair union vote.
