On June 12, 2024, Corning Tarboro workers voted Union Yes and joined nearly 5,000 other Union Corning workers throughout the US with the United Steelworkers. They weren’t fooled by management’s half-truths and will now head to the bargaining table to have a real voice on pay, retirement, fair treatment, and working conditions.
STEELWORKERS UNION WIN AT CORNING!
Over 5,000 Corning workers have been able to improve their working lives by joining together in the United Steelworkers. They have used their collective voice to improve their pay, retirement, and to make sure there is a fair set of rules for everyone, and much more. When we form our union, we will figure out our priorities and use our collective strength to negotiate to make improvements. Let’s see what other Corning Workers have already won:
Value |
NON-UNION |
UNION |
PAY |
Whatever management decides to give us. |
Won annual raises that keep up with the cost of living in the last contract all USW Corning workers won 15% over 4 years, Workers also won shift differential and premium pay. |
RETIREMENT |
Whatever corporate decides. Any benefit can be changed at any time. |
Guaranteed Pension plan. The pension plan and all benefits can not be changed unless a majority of workers vote to make any changes. |
WORK RULES |
Whatever management or corporate wants Workers have no vote or say. |
Workers have a voice and a say on how their plants work. Like everything else in the union, workers will vote on a set of rules that make sense for their facility. |
What can we achieve as a union?
Corning workers, whether non-union or union, enjoy annual plant bonuses based on the performance of each individual facility. At non-union facilities, managers, supervisors, and corporate decide the goals, metrics, and amount of the bonuses -- if any. At USW union facilities, however, there is a real difference. At these union facilities, frontline members will meet with the administration and discuss what are actual achievable goals for their plant. Let’s take a look to see at how much some other USW facilities received this year in plant bonuses:
- Corning Blacksburg (VA) 6.87%
- Corning Wilmington (NC) 7.11%
- Corning IDM (NY) 6.94%
- Corning Sullivan Park Operations (NY) 5.82%
- Corning Sullivan Park WPS (NY) 7.33%
- Corning CMS (NY) 5.98%
Donnetta Williams
USW President at Corning Wilmington, NC
USW President at Corning Wilmington, NC
“In our last contract we were able to bargain a 15% pay increase over the life of the 4-year contract with a 6% increase in the first year. The company’s initial proposal was an indication of how little they valued us as workers—especially since we worked without interruption during the pandemic. Our motto, ‘Essential Then-Essential Now’ empowered us to push back and have our voices heard at the bargaining table. The USW Glass Council, who represents other USW unionized plants, offered their solidarity.
I believe you all are dedicated hard workers who bring value and should be able to have your collective voice heard at the bargaining table. You can do this by coming together and joining our great union—the USW. We encourage and stand with you in solidarity to keep moving forward to win your seat at the table”
I believe you all are dedicated hard workers who bring value and should be able to have your collective voice heard at the bargaining table. You can do this by coming together and joining our great union—the USW. We encourage and stand with you in solidarity to keep moving forward to win your seat at the table”
Greg Thomas
USW Officer at Corning Blacksburg, VA
USW Officer at Corning Blacksburg, VA
"I have been at Corning Blacksburg for 16 years. Bonuses are always an exciting time at the plant. All of our hard work throughout the year pays off. We know if we do a great job and meet the goals, we will benefit. And because our facility is union, we are able to make sure that we have a say on what the goals are. I have been on the committee that meets with management to discuss and come up with the target goals for the year. Like always, management starts with this balloon sized goal, but then we sit down and narrow it down to something that is real and attainable. We know how much value to profit for what we produce. This year we got a 6.87% bonus. It definitely pays to have a say as a union. It was great meeting some of you at your last meeting. We are stronger when we are together and keep at it!”
“I have been at Corning Blacksburg for 16 years. Bonuses are always an exciting time at the plant. All of our hard work throughout the year pays off. We know if we do a great job and meet the goals, we will benefit. And because our facility is union, we are able to make sure that we have a say on what the goals are. I have been on the committee that meets with management to discuss and come up with the target goals for the year. Like always, management starts with this balloon sized goal, but then we sit down and narrow it down to something that is real and attainable. We know how much value to profit for what we produce. This year we got a 6.87% bonus. It definitely pays to have a say as a union. It was great meeting some of you at your last meeting. We are stronger when we are together and keep at it!”
“I have been at Corning Blacksburg for 16 years. Bonuses are always an exciting time at the plant. All of our hard work throughout the year pays off. We know if we do a great job and meet the goals, we will benefit. And because our facility is union, we are able to make sure that we have a say on what the goals are. I have been on the committee that meets with management to discuss and come up with the target goals for the year. Like always, management starts with this balloon sized goal, but then we sit down and narrow it down to something that is real and attainable. We know how much value to profit for what we produce. This year we got a 6.87% bonus. It definitely pays to have a say as a union. It was great meeting some of you at your last meeting. We are stronger when we are together and keep at it!”
Thomas Thompson
USW President at Corning Blacksburg, VA
USW President at Corning Blacksburg, VA
“Local 1022 Blacksburg is all in to support you on your journey to get your voice and your first contract. American Business is changing, and you must get your voice. I will soon be a 2nd generation retiree with over 54 years of service. One of the things I’m most proud of, that we have won by being in a union, is protecting our retirement. Every time we negotiate a new contract, we make sure we take care of the people who have made Corning the strong, profitable company it is. And I know when I retire, I can do so and still live comfortably. We at Corning Blacksburg have always had our voice heard. Get your voice!”
Dameta Singletary
Corning Glass, Wilmington, NC
Corning Glass, Wilmington, NC
"Joining the Union has positively impacted my life in a magnitude of ways. We have continuously been able to negotiate higher wages and better benefits, which in turn has provided a more stable and enjoyable life for not only me, but for my brothers and sisters as well. The Union has provided me the opportunity to continue my education and pursue an additional degree for FREE! My Local 1025 President, Donneta Williams, spoke at the White House this year when the Infrastructure Bill was passed by President Biden. This both confirmed and increased my confidence that we are not overlooked, our hard work has not gone unnoticed, our voices are powerful, and solidarity is key to making a difference. North Carolina is a right-to-work state, and it is vital for working people to have both protection and unity. We will not be mistreated or silenced. We are the Union."
Lou Muzyczek
Corning Glass, Wilmington, NC
Corning Glass, Wilmington, NC
"I've worked at Corning for 7 years. I enjoy my work, my coworkers, and our union. Since we have a union we have won pay increases, safer working conditions, and most importantly for me a real voice at work. We are able to make sure Corning lives up to their principles because we are in a union. Join Us!"
Ethan Hargrave, Corning Glass – Corning, NY
"The union is important to me because it allows the members to come together, stand up, and speak up to negotiate and accomplish more than we could as individuals. As a transgender person, the union also helps to make sure that I, along with ALL other members, have an equal, fair, and safe workplace with the benefits we deserve."
EVEN CORNING’S EXECUTIVES AGREE THAT WE SHOULD BE WORKING TOGETHER!
Bernard Deutsch, Vice President for Cable and Optical Fiber at Corning
“We value the role of the USW local members that play here at our Wilmington plant in manufacturing optical fiber that it connects the world and people. Corning and the USW share in the belief in the power of broadband investment to create jobs and opportunities for our communities and people.”
Together we have negotiated with management and won these victories
- 15% raises over the course of the contract including a 6% raise this year
- Input on plant wide bonus metrics to make sure plant goals are attainable
- Fair bidding process for advancement and transferring within the facility
- A fair process to hold management accountable