LAZ Parking Inexplicably Spreads Lies as Fallout from COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
Nearly a year after LAZ Parking unceremoniously and illegally furloughed hundreds of parking employees with barely a day’s notice and without giving prior notice to, or bargaining with, the Union, the Company continues to add insult to injury by spreading an outrageous lie to both Union membership and its parking clients. According to LAZ representatives, LAZ management allegedly asked Teamsters Local 727 to agree to an extension of the recall rights that exist in both the Commercial and Valet Contracts to members, the majority of whom have been out of work since mid-March, and the Union responded with an outright no.
Not only is this entirely untrue, but it is a slap in the face to Teamsters Local 727, whose representatives continue to process a growing number of grievances and Labor Board charges against nearly all of the parking companies, including LAZ, in response to their unlawful furloughs which specifically demand reinstatement and recall. A fact which the Union has made clear in writing to both LAZ and its attorney, Doug Darch. These lies by LAZ are also a slap in the face to the furloughed employees, who deserve better than to be misled by an employer that turned its back on them during a worldwide health crisis. Bizarrely, in light of LAZ’s wild allegation, LAZ representatives recently informed the Union that per the language of the contracts, recall rights of any employee who has been furloughed for over six months have expired and any future employment with the Company would be at the Company’s discretion and as a new hire, with previous years of service being of no consequence. In response, Business Representative Melissa Senatore immediately filed a grievance and it is being processed accordingly. The Union made its objections clear numerous times to LAZ in writing, that if they took this action the Union would pursue further legal remedies.
“It goes without saying that the Union would never respond in the outlandish way that LAZ has claimed and we continue the fight day-in and day-out to return all of our parking members to work, with seniority and compensation intact,” said John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727. “After witnessing how LAZ treated its employees in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the bar is remarkably low when it comes to what this Company needs to do to show even a fraction of respect to its employees, but with that being said, this latest bullshit, excuse my language, is off the charts and unacceptable. LAZ needs to stop playing games at the expense of the men and women who have loyally worked for the Company for years. If LAZ wants to do the right thing – for once – and legitimately make this offer to the Union, then I invite them to do so. Sadly, it seems that they’re too busy making themselves the victim, which couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Questions should be directed to Business Representative Melissa Senatore at (847) 696-7500.
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or grievance(s), or as a waiver of any rights, arguments, or defenses under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or applicable law. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: PARKING, Union News
