Calpine workers at The Geysers vote against union representation
Published: Friday, January 27, 2012 at 11:11 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 27, 2012 at 11:11 a.m.
Calpine workers at The Geysers in Sonoma County have rejected a plan to form a union at the nation’s largest geothermal energy operation.
Workers voted 124-70 against a proposal to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the National Labor Relations Board said Friday.
Twenty-one votes were challenged by the union and weren’t counted, but they wouldn’t have changed the outcome, NRLB spokesman Tim Peck said.
The union said Friday it will not contest the vote, even though it said Calpine ran a smear campaign that affected the outcome. Calpine required employees to attend sessions with anti-union consultants and union representatives weren’t allowed on the property, said IBEW organizer Fred Ross.
“The company waged a vicious anti-union campaign,” he said. “It created an environment of fear. Workers began to feel unsure about their jobs and their future.”
Calpine said it allowed a “free and fair” election and said the results reflect its employees’ wishes.
“We work hard and fairly to maintain good, safe working conditions and competitive compensation,” the company said in a statement. “We have provided and remain committed to providing industry-leading benefits, equity, career progression and safety programs.”
The election was held Wednesday and Thursday at The Geysers.
“We are grateful that our employees made their voices heard. The high participation rate gives us confidence that the election’s outcome accurately reflects the will of the majority of Geysers employees,” the company said.
Calpine is the largest U.S. producer of geothermal energy, with 15 power plants at The Geysers generating about 725 megawatts. That’s about 41 percent of all geothermal energy in the United States, according to the company.
Calpine has more than 300 employees at The Geysers.
A group of workers approached IBEW in August about representation, Ross said. They wanted more voice in working conditions and were upset about a reduction in benefits, including sick leave and health care, he said.
In December, the union petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a certification election, showing at least 30 percent would support union representation.
About 230 workers, including steam field and plant operators, technicians, maintenance workers, electricians, welders and administrative assistants were included in the proposed bargaining unit.
Calpine union supporters met with Gov. Jerry Brown in December and won backing from former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich.
But other Calpine workers opposed union certification, setting up a website that claimed the union was trying to divide the workplace and hurt Calpine’s reputation.
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