Organizing Workers
On April 30, 1968, the employees of the Economy Furniture Company in Austin, Texas, held a vote facilitated by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over whether to unionize as part of the Upholsterers' International Union (UIU) for better working conditions. Economy Furniture paid workers low wages, provided no sick leave or sufficient insurance, and had no system for raises or promotions. Vacation and retirement policies were poor. If the company did not consider a worker productive enough, it might dock their wages or fire them. The factory building was poorly heated and cooled, leaky, and poorly-ventilated. The upholstery employees worked with was dusted with a mysterious phosphorescent powder that induced respiratory problems. One employee attempted to collect a sample of the powder for testing and was prevented from leaving the factory with it (Riley 25-49).
The workers, who were ninety-percent Chicano and forty-percent women, voted to unionize, but Economy Furniture refused to certify the election as legitimate. It filed an objection to the NLRB to nullify the election. Among its charges were claims that the UIU intimidated and coerced workers, distributed false accusations against the company, and falsely told workers that if they did not vote to unionize, the company would fire them (52-58).
In June, attorney James J. Johns of UIU filed a charge with the NLRB against Economy Furniture Company, pictured here. This document charges the company with firing employees Frank Aneira, James Morales, and Andra Acosta for union activity, coercing them, and denying them the right to unionize, which was illegal. The UIU attorney also wrote letters to the company. One letter accused the company of forcing employees to attend anti-Union meetings during working hours. By November, employees had stopped working and the strike had begun.