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News & ArtsFriday, January 29, 2010
City Pike Place Market on Strike?
Posted by Jake Blumgart on Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 3:58 PM
Teamsters Local 117, which represents about 16,500 workers in the region, just sent out an announcement with the ominous headline "Strike Looming at the Pike Place Market." I've called both the Local 117 and the Pike Place Market Public Development Authority (PDA) but neither answered their phone.
In their statement, the Teamsters explain reasons for a potential strike, followed by their demands:
The Union that represents the Market workers contends that the PDA has committed five violations of state collective bargaining law, including coercion, discrimination, failure to bargain in good faith, unilateral changes in bargaining unit members’ wages, and interference. Workers are requesting an order acknowledging the violations, as well as a make-whole award that would grant employees holiday pay that was unilaterally cut by the PDA at the end of last year.
Apparently, negotiations have been going for about a year, but have stalled out. A principal sticking point was the union's offer of a $40,000 wage cut in exchange for the "elimination" of a PDA-supported merit pay compensation system. The PDA negotiators did not find the offer acceptable. I'll have more on this after I speak to representatives. The strike vote was taken yesterday.
2
Dirty Jackass Jake only blows one note.
Dirty Jackass Jake, when are you going to call Liz or Yoko down at the Guild and organize the scab Stranger?
Dirty Jackass Jake, when are you going to call Liz or Yoko down at the Guild and organize the scab Stranger?
3
They probably did this because now that Pam Roach is censured by the GOP caucus, they are worried about flower sales.
4
You idiotic union leaders accepted a $40,000 pay cut to stop merit pay? What fucking idiots! Why don't you just bend over and spread em? Unions should fight to defend what they have, not sell out their workers. If you are a member of that union, FIRE THE SON OF A BITCHES WHO ACCEPTED THE PAY CUT. That's giving up before you even fight and SHITTY union leadership. Seattle has a long proud union history. Don't shit on that history.
5
Awfully glad to have you stepping up labor coverage on Slog, Jake.
And Will, I'm sorry, but that's your WTF Of The Day @3.
And Will, I'm sorry, but that's your WTF Of The Day @3.
7
"The merit pay system offered Pike Place workers between 2-and-4 percent pay hike depending on performance, to be issued twice a year. According to Teamster representative Paul Zilly, it was unpopular because "it was unfairly implemented, lending itself to favoritism."
Yet teachers are getting bashed when they object to merit pay for these very reasons - unfair implementation and subject to favoritism. Many districts in WA already tried merit pay back in the 70's and dumped it because it didn't work. Not only that, but the proposed Arne Duncan merit pay for teachers isn't based directly on their performance - it's on performance as reflected through the test scores of kids - including those who don't care about school or don't get enough to eat or have test anxiety or who have only been speaking English for a year.
Yet teachers are getting bashed when they object to merit pay for these very reasons - unfair implementation and subject to favoritism. Many districts in WA already tried merit pay back in the 70's and dumped it because it didn't work. Not only that, but the proposed Arne Duncan merit pay for teachers isn't based directly on their performance - it's on performance as reflected through the test scores of kids - including those who don't care about school or don't get enough to eat or have test anxiety or who have only been speaking English for a year.
8
Hey Moon Frye, I suppose you were sitting in on our meetings like a fly on the wall and are actually speaking from first hand knowledge???? Put a zipper on it and get the facts!! We're not a bunch of mindless zombies following Union orders. The Union is actually working for us. Thats kinda what their there for, remember?? If you want a cure for your diarrhea of the mouth, call Local 117 and get informed.
9
I saw the notices posted for their vote Thursday and asked one of the
workers what was going on.
he told me they have a once yearly merit raise of 0-4%
and that they have not received it for two years.
This year they were only offerd a 0-2%
he said they wanted to lose the merit system because most workers
only ever received the lower rate and the bosses received the higher
workers what was going on.
he told me they have a once yearly merit raise of 0-4%
and that they have not received it for two years.
This year they were only offerd a 0-2%
he said they wanted to lose the merit system because most workers
only ever received the lower rate and the bosses received the higher
10
Ask any tenent or vendor down there if they are satisfied with the PDA. Ask any (blue colar) employee of the PDA if they are satisfied. Bet you'll get an earfull!!! Morale is a disgrace!! Workers are treated like dirt on the shoes of the PDA. There are harassment and discrimination charges pending. They have terminated a 10 year employee only to be legally forced to hire him back with full back benefits. They would love to bust the Union and be able to rule the Market with an iron fist.The Union has bent over backwards trying to get a better pension plan for the workers at no extra cost to the PDA. They've tried to keep curent raises and get rid of an UNFAIR merit system. Workers were refused a Holiday bonus they've gotten for the last 20+ years with 3 different excuses why. Workers have worked the last 18 months without a contract because of intentional dragging their feet by the PDA. Now their in Mediation and is taking 3 months to get another meeting. Workers need CHANGE NOW!!!!
11
Dude, Waliiannen, lets face it. Most Pike Place Market workers are LAZY. Not all of them but most. I worked at pike place market until I left due to a crazy supervisor who had it in for me at the start. Here me out on this, PDA workers actually have it pretty good. When I was there it had a health care plan that was outstanding, none like I've seen outside government health plans and pretty decent pay. Look at the economy were in right now, be lucky you even have a job with PDA, lets say if you strike and PDA says "Okay, time to hire some new people?" I can guarantee you people would jam PDA'S computers servers full with resume's. A union is supposed to give you three things, a living wage, good health benifits and PROTECT YOU FROM INSANE CO-WORKERS! Look Waliiannen, the Teamsters union are pretty good if not excellent compaired to other unions such as the SEIU, the most corrupt union in America. So be glad you are employed in these times. Because PDA can always sell itself out and have the higher ups take great severance packages and either give it to a private enterprise or let the US Park Service take it. If either one takes it I can tell you most people wont be hired back. This is just my opinion.
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