T-Shirt Logos Cause Trouble

Wednesday 16th of September 2009 03:07:30 AM

T-Shirt Logos Cause Trouble

Sometimes t-shirts can cause trouble! That was the message that the USA company Alabama Aircraft Industries sent its employees when it suspended 35 union members because of the words printed on the shirts. The shirts read, “Will strike if provoked.”

That message harkens back to the days of strong unions . The logo is a coiled cobra with the phrase and represents union solidarity. The Alabama Aircraft Industries employees are members of the United Autoworkers and decided to wear the shirt with the logo as a sign of unity and strength despite the economic conditions causing so many problems for fellow union members.

The company repairs military aircraft at a local airport and management feels the shirt’s message is inflammatory. The company believes it aroused emotions that interfere with the ability of the workers to do a good job. The company ordered the shirts to be removed and the workers refused. As a result a decision was made to suspend the employees for one day without pay. The union has decided to complain to appropriate authorities and filed a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board.

Alabama Aircraft Industries has stated the logo tees violate the company dress code. The Chief Executive, Ron Aramini, said the company’s dress code prohibits wearing anything that can be construed as vulgar, containing a racial slur or religious insults, or promotes violence because such logos or words distract employees who need to pay close attention to their work.

The company employees 800 people and most of them belong to the union. The workers were sent home early the day they wore the t-shirts. It just goes to show the power of promotional clothing as both advertising and social media.