Unprepared GES Cancels Meeting Minutes Before Negotiations are Set to Resume
Teamsters Local 727 and Global Exposition Services were set to resume negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement covering employees working in the G.E.S. warehouse on Thursday, November 15th at the Local 727 office.
While the date and location were agreed upon by both parties two weeks in advance, Local 727 received a call a mere hour prior to the start of negotiations from G.E.S. claiming management was unaware that negotiations would be held in the Union’s office. Unsurprisingly, G.E.S. management’s disorganization and unpreparedness resulted in the Company cancelling negotiations 15 minutes before the parties were set to meet. Such behavior has unfortunately become characteristic of G.E.S.
Earlier this month when Local 727 first proposed the withdrawal of trade show industry workers’ pensions from the failing Central States Pension Fund, it was determined that G.E.S.’s withdrawal liability is significantly higher than it could have been due to the Company’s lack of preparation. Had G.E.S. taken the time to align their contracts as Freeman Decorating Company has spent the past few years doing, their withdrawal liability costs would be far less costly.
“G.E.S. has had five years to prepare for a withdrawal from Central States,” stated Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John Coli, Jr. “These high costs are a direct result of G.E.S.’s lack of preparation and procrastination. This is their own doing and they will be the ones to pay for it.”
“It’s past time G.E.S. get their act together,” added Coli. “Our members deserve more consideration and respect. Local 727 demands G.E.S. show up to our next meeting ready and prepared to make-up for this completely unnecessary delay.”
The parties will continue negotiations for a new G.E.S. warehouse contract concurrently with bargaining for a new master trade show collective bargaining agreement on Monday, December 3rd.
Members with questions should contact Local 727 Business Representative Mike DeGard at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected].
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or additional grievance. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: TRADE SHOW
