My
name is Morris Mock, and I've worked at the Nissan plant in Canton for 10
years, since it first opened. I'm here to explain why I want a union at Nissan.
Like
all Mississippians, I'm thankful Nissan brought jobs to Canton. I love the work
I do, and Nissan has provided me a good income to support my family. Then why
in the world would I need a union?
Wanting
a union at Nissan has nothing to do with money. I want a union so I can
have a voice in the workplace, so I can help make Nissan better.
Workers
need the chance to speak up about important issues like safety in the plant and
job security. We also want a say in Nissan's unfair use of temporary workers.
For years, I've worked side-by-side workers who Nissan has hired through
a contract agency as "temporaries." They do the exact same work as me. They
build the same cars, and they go home just as tired as I do. But still, they
make much less than I do, they have zero job security, and there's little
chance they'll ever be hired as Nissan employees. This simply isn't fair, and I
know that Nissan can do better.
This
summer, a multi-cultural coalition of leaders, including our Congressman Bennie
Thompson and local ministers, came out to support workers who want a union. I'm
thankful because these leaders called on Nissan to allow us to have a fair
election. That's all we're really asking for. So far, we have only heard why
Nissan doesn't want us to have a union. But workers deserve the opportunity to
make an informed decision for themselves, after hearing both sides. And
we shouldn't be afraid we'll lose our jobs if we do decide a union is the best
way for us.
We
are both pro-union and pro-Nissan. We believe Nissan can be better –
more profitable, more successful and more fair. That's what's best for the
workers and their families, that's what's best for Nissan, and that's what's
best for Mississippi.
