Union drive at IKEA plant in US takes aim at Swedish furniture giant’s worker-friendly rep

[alp227]

Source: Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — The union attempting to represent workers at IKEA’s only U.S. plant is challenging the Swedish furniture giant’s vaunted corporate ethos, accusing the retailer of paying its American workers low wages and tolerating unsafe working conditions.

Approximately 320 workers at IKEA’s Swedwood Danville plant will vote Wednesday whether to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

The machinists union has put IKEA’s reputation as a labor- and environment-friendly Swedish employer at the forefront of its organizing drive as it attempts to organize workers at the company’s subsidiary, Swedwood. They assemble the sleek, low-cost bookshelves and coffee tables that the big-box retailer sells in its distinctive, cheery, blue-and-yellow stores.

IKEA’s corporate conduct is guided by its so-called IWAY Standard, which outlines environmental, social and working rules — an 18-page document governing everything from drinking water supplied to workers to lighting levels to a ban on child labor. The company says the standards follow a directive that “the IKEA business shall have an overall positive impact on people and the environment.”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/union-drive-at-ikea-plant-in-us-takes-aim-at-swedish-furniture-giants-worker-friendly-rep/2011/07/23/gIQApz64UI_singlePage.html

[leveymg]

1. I was at the IKEA store in Woodbridge, VA yesterday. Not a very happy (or helpful) crew.

Not impressed by the retail space created by that company's management. If that's a worker-friendly environment, g-d help the rest in retail.

[w0nderer]

5. were they sulky, sullen, nonhelpful, passive-aggressively obstructionistic

if so it's just IKEA exporting a complete experience of Swedish customer service in all its glory as well :-)

[leveymg]

6. To a T. Add underpaid, and obviously bored out of their minds.

[Dawson Leery]

2. IKEA is the Wal-Mart of furniture.

Low quality indeed. The materials used are to say the least, flimsy.

[Tesha]

7. Lots of our furniture is genuine Danish Modern, made by name-brand manufacturers.

Lots of our furniture is IKEA (as are more of our accessories).

Unless you know the items individually, I would challenge to you
come into our house and tell us which is which.

IKEA stuff isn't "low quality", it's inexpensive. Used reasonably, it
lasts as well as any other vendor's furniture and offers great value
for its cost. Overload a wide "BILLY" bookshelf, though, and you'll
get a saggy bookshelf. Answer: don't overload it or buy a narrowed,
proportionally-stronger version of the "BILLY" bookshelf.

Tesha

[w0nderer]

8. you ever check ikeahacker?

http://www.ikeahacker.com/

it's got some cool ideas

[tammywammy]

9. Cool website!

Neat ideas!

[Tesha]

10. I'm not sure we've been to that site but *LOTS* of our IKEA stuff is customized.

For example, almost all of the Grundtal stainless steel towel bars
and racks in our house are sizes you won't find in the catalog.

Our kitchen cabinetry is all IKEA, but the stove cabinet, sink cabinet
oven cabinet, and microwave cabinet are all specialized for our use
and all the cabinets are "lowered" to match my height.

So yes, we're big-time IKEA hackers!

Tesha

[Manifestor_of_Light]

12. Real Danish Modern is beautiful stuff.

I'm old enough to remember the sixties.
My mom bought a set of Syracuse china called "Nordic" in the early Sixties that I still have, and love.

Picture:


I also like Art Nouveau, don't like Art Deco. And I have a big obnoxious Calder print on the wall.

Go figure.

:D

[BiggJawn]

3. What do you expect?

Swedish company with American managers.
You'd think the home office would be horrified at the way their American managers are destroying the company reputation.

And yes, IKEA may not be built as well as, say, Stickley, but then an IKEA chair doesn't cost $2500, either.

[AnnieBW]

4. A Lot of my Furniture is IKEA

I've been an IKEA fan since I moved to the DC area. We now have one, in College Park, MD, a short drive from my house. But, I refuse to buy from them any more until they stop their anti-union activities.

[dipsydoodle]

11. Its a good place for those with not much money to spend.

I can only assume that not many here fall into that category. :sarcasm:

[JCMach1]

13. I despise IKEA...

Crappy, crappy products...