WARSAW — Local Union 364 is hosting a forum at the Holiday Inn Express, 3825 Lake City Hwy, Warsaw, until 7 p.m. today, Aug. 29, after Zimmer-Biomet employees reached out in interest of forming a union.

Local Union 364 President Robert Warnock stated that Zimmer-Biomet employees began contacting representatives within the last 90 days looking to form a union. Warnock stated that reasons for wanting a union often came back to employees being overworked and undervalued. Mandatory overtime, 12-hour shifts several days in a row, inability to take time off for important events and inability to bid on qualified positions were some of the complaints spoken of.

Unions claim to ultimately work to protect employee rights. Contracts can stipulate how much overtime an employee works and how frequently, protect wages, can designate acceptable events that may be taken off from work and can protect the employee’s right to bid on open positions.

Indiana is an employment at will state, meaning that employers can fire an employee at any time for any, or no, reason. An employee who has a union contract is protected from the possible sudden termination of their position.

In order to form a union, the majority of Zimmer-Biomet’s employees must be interested in joining. If enough individuals show interest, the National Labor Relations Board will hold an election for the implementation of a union.

The NLR Act gives employees the right to self-organization and to form, join or assist labor organizations. It also protects the rights of employees to refuse to do these things.

Representatives will be at the Holiday Inn Express until 7 p.m. to answer questions and provide information. There is no commitment necessary.

Zimmer-Biomet employees may visit the Teamsters website or call the office (574) 234-6031.