OTHER NEWS - Nov. 28, 1991

Union Organizing Drive Fails: The biggest labor organizing effort in Orange County in two decades ended in crushing defeat when workers at an ITT Cannon electronics plant rejected union representation by more than 5 to 1. Workers voted 786 to 141 against representation by the Laborers International Union of North America, Local 652. About 90% of the company’s 1,041 eligible workers voted in the election, which capped an eight-month organizing effort. Dave Myers, personnel director for ITT Cannon’s Military/Aerospace division in Santa Ana, hailed the outcome as an endorsement of the company efforts to work with employees during difficult economic times. Ruben L. Gomez, secretary-treasurer for Local 652, said he was disappointed at the outcome but gratified that the issue was put to a vote. He said the union campaign sought to address workers’ concerns about low wages, working conditions, management-labor cooperation and job security.