Local 727 Trade Show Members Refuse to Cross UNITE HERE Strike Line Sanctioned by Joint Council 25
Teamsters Local 727 trade show industry members are honoring the strike lines of their fellow union Brothers and Sisters of UNITE HERE Local 1, which has been sanctioned by Joint Council 25 at 26 Chicagoland hotels.
Upon seeing UNITE HERE members and hotel employees on strike, Local 727 trade show warehouse members employed by Freeman Decorating Company and GES Exposition Services are turning their trucks around and refusing to cross the sanctioned picket line. Likewise, 727 trade show members have refused to work any show scheduled to take place within a hotel with a sanctioned picket line for the duration of Local 1’s strike.
Teamsters Local 727 trade show industry members may continue to refuse to cross the sanctioned strike line without fear of discipline or retaliation thanks to their hard-earned collective bargaining agreements. According to Article 6 of the master trade show industry agreement and Article 7 of the trade show warehouse agreements, no employee “shall be required to go through a picket line, when the picket line is approved by Teamsters’ Joint Council 25… it shall not be cause for discharge, disciplinary action or permanent replacement…”
“Our members fought hard for the right to honor sanctioned union picket and strike lines. I’m proud of our trade show members for exercising their right, standing strong, and supporting the members of Local 1 as they demand fair treatment,” said John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727.
On behalf of all members of Local 727, Secretary-Treasurer Coli wrote UNITE HERE Local 1 President Karen Kent immediately following the strike announcement on September 7th, to express the Union’s willingness to support and assist Local 1’s members.
“Our Union understands the power that comes from standing united,” said Coli. “We will always stand in solidarity with hardworking men and women fighting for what they deserve.”
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
