"Health care costs, wages push south Sacramento manufacturing plant to unionization vote"

Hundreds of manufacturing workers will decide Thursday whether to unionize a south Sacramento plant that builds railcars for Amtrak and light rail systems.

Labor organizers said employees at the Siemens plant are underpaid, and at times work in hot, poorly ventilated spaces. Workers said their health insurance costs are not affordable.

A unionization vote was scheduled to take place throughout the day Thursday.

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The company said in a statement Wednesday that it pays competitive wages, offers best-in-class benefits and complies with Cal-OSHA requirements for heat illness prevention plans.

“We strongly believe that direct transparent communication with our employees results in a more collaborative work environment, benefiting our team members, our customers, and the communities we serve,” the statement said. “We do not believe that a union is necessary for our employees to thrive and grow.”

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