THE International Brotherhood of Teamsters union in the United States is celebrating a massive organising victory at building material firm Cemex. 

The US National Labour Relations Board set a groundbreaking precedent on Thursday when it ordered Cemex to engage in negotiations with the union.

Cemex was accused of behaving like a tin-pot dictatorship, with the Teamsters citing sackings, intimidation and harassment of workers in the union’s organising campaign.

The board told Cemex to voluntarily recognise the union or ask the board to hold a union recognition ballot. 

It ruled that if, before or during a union election, the employer commits an unfair labour practice such as illegally dismissing employees who support a union, the board will require the employer to recognise the union and enter into negotiations immediately.

The ruling has far-reaching implications: it means that all employers must now engage in collective bargaining with a union if labour law violations committed during a representation election undermine its credibility.

Teamster union president Sean O’Brien said: “This landmark decision will be a catalyst for workers who are standing up and demanding their worth — not just at Cemex, but at every other employer in the country.”