Union leaders show support for new Convention Center work rules, even after Ironworkers blast management

Leaders of the four unions at the Pennsylvania Convention Center have written a letter supporting new work rules that remove what management calls antiquated protocols that put the facility at a competitive disadvantage.

Here are some highlights:

“As leaders of the four trade unions who perform work at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, we are writing to the respective appointing authorities who select the members of the Center’s Board of Directors to share our support for the new work rules and customer rights as contained in the recently ratified Customer Satisfaction Agreement.”

The document also makes clear that the six unions were aware of the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on May 5.

“The Center’s management subsequently sent a new Customer Satisfaction Agreement to all six unions – with a clearly delineated, explicit deadline of May 5 at 11:59 p.m. for signature by the respective union leadership. There was no mistaking the deadline for when this agreement needed to be approved, particularly since the Board of Directors of the convention center were scheduled to meet on the morning of Tuesday, May 6th to approve the agreement.”

It highlighted Philadelphia’s perceived hostility towards visitors, singling one union out as the cause.

“We believe it is the only way to shift the negative perception that customers have about doing business at the Center – a perception we believe is largely the result of the actions and behavior of one union and is unfairly attributed to all of the unions who have worked at the Center. We also believe that the agreement represents the best interest of our union members.”

The signatory union members also mentioned their interest in working with the new customer satisfaction agreement.

“We will travel to other cities and industry events to discuss the “new” way of doing business at the Center and speak directly with customers about our commitment to making their experience in Philadelphia great. If there is opportunity for us to win new business, we want to be a part of that effort and win over potential customers with a renewed focus on hospitality and customer service.”

It may come as no surprise that the union leaders have signed this document, as the four unions — Electrical Workers Local 98, Stagehands Local 8, Ironworkers Local 405 and Laborers Local 332 — signed and accepted the new work rules by the May 5 deadline.

It’s interesting to note that Samuel Malone, business manager of the Ironworkers Local 405, signed the document since just yesterday, Stephen Sweeney, general vice president of the Iron Workers District, sent a plea to the Convention Center to “accept the signed agreements and welcome” the Carpenters and Teamsters, who refused to sign by the May 5.

The document, signed May 15, was signed by Michael Barnes (Stagehands), John Dougherty (Electrical Workers), Samuel Malone (Ironworkers) and Samuel State, Jr. (Laborers).

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal