At Mountain Cement Company in Laramie, Wyoming, where two massive rotary kilns fire day and night, workers have won a hard fight for union representation that will echo across Wyoming’s labor movement for years to come. With a 63% vote, the entire 110-person workforce including quarry crews and truck drivers to operators, lab technicians, mechanics, electricians and shipping staff, chose to stand together and vote to unionize. The only job classification excluded was the security guard at the front gate.
This victory came despite fierce opposition. Management hired outside consultants to run mandatory two-hour meetings, pushing fear and misinformation to employees in a constant drip. While workers stood their ground, the company got hit with 10 unfair labor practice charges.
The organizing committee—an eclectic crew of cowboys, bikers and veterans—embodied the toughness of the Wyoming workforce, equipped with the grit needed to overcome management and their union-busting consultants. Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer Robert Gallegos, the Local 101 Executive Board and stewards backed the organizers every step of the way.
“The organizing committee worked with dedication and drive. I was privileged to work alongside them in our unionization campaign,” Gallegos said.
Western States organizer Pablo Barrera led the campaign, which was built from the ground up. Workers from Mountain Cement Company contacted organizers through FormaUnion.com in the spring. During the campaign, the organizing committee put up flyers at auto stores, posted flyers in stores and restaurants across Laramie and ran social media ads to counter the company’s anti-union messaging.
“It was an honor to work with the organizing committee, one of the strongest committees I’ve seen in the last 30 years,” Barrera said.
In addition to the committee, churches, small businesses and political leaders lent their support, and the local newspaper broadcast the story to the wider community.
According to the Wyoming AFL-CIO, the state hasn’t had a union election of this size, or a union win of any size, in the last 15 years.
“This was a dogfight. But we didn’t back down,” said Barrera. “This organizing victory ensures greater opportunities, stronger representation and a more secure future for Wyoming’s working families. I’m ready for the next run.”
As Mountain Cement Company prepares to expand production through its K3 project, potentially doubling the workforce, the Boilermakers’ win ensures all workers will face that future with strong representation and a secure voice on the job.
As far as organizing Wyoming’s workers, the fight has only just begun.
