TRI-CON WORKERS OK UNION

Tri-Con Industries Ltd. workers have voted to be represented by the Amalgamated Clothing and Textiles Workers Union.

The vote by the company's employees Friday was 156 in favor and 77 against representation by the ACTWU.

The vote by the firm's 233 employees marked the third attempt in the 11-year history of the plant to install a union at its Cape Girardeau plant, 334 N. Broadview.

"We'll take the vote in stride," said Rick Roach, who assumed new duties as plant manager before the vote Friday. "We'll continue to work with people in the factory to assure improvements in our operation.

"We want to make everything good for our workers," he said. "Our ultimate objective is to achieve our customer requirements."

Tri-Con, the U.S. subsidiary of Tokyo Seat Co., manufactures automobile seat covers.

Following a seven-day certification process, the ACTWU will start negotiations with the company, said David Sailer, a representative of the ACTWU, headquartered in St. Louis.

"We're pleased with the election results," said Sailer. "This is a new day, a new beginning for Tri-Con employees. We need to put away any previous disagreements and look to the future."

Following the certification period, employees will elect a negotiating team, said Sailer, one of three union representatives on hand for the balloting. Also here were Darla Watson and Kathy Adams.

A large number of Tri-Con employees were gathered across the street from the plant, all wearing red "Union, Yes" shirts. Also in the crowd were some supporters from Thorngate Ltd., a manufacturer of sportswear, and the Florshiem Factory, a shoe manufacturer.

"This is great," said Debbie Wolfe, who has worked at Tri-Con since it opened in April 1983. "I'll be glad to go back to work Saturday. I'll be in a good mood."

Wolfe was around during the previous two attempts at United Auto Workers union representation during the 1980s. "One of those votes was close," said Wolfe.

The first union vote came a year after the factory opened here in May 1984. The factory had almost 400 employees, with 204 voting against the union and 193 in favor of the UAW.

The second vote came in July 1985, when the vote was 123 in favor and 146 against representation by the UAW.

"We finally got it," said Sarah Poore of Charleston, who has worked at the plant for more than two years. "I'll be here for my Monday shift with bells on."

Ann McCall of Fruitland, who joined the company almost three years ago, was also happy.

"I think things will be a lot better here," she said.

Some workers had complained of lack of seniority and favoritism prior to the vote.