Ronald Rabena, AlliedBarton Philadelphia Division President, sent a written response to Councilman Greenlee yesterday. The letter was in response to Councilman Greenlee’s forwarding a letter that Timothy Rub (Director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art) wrote to Councilman Greenlee, expressing his wishes to the Councilman. Mr. Rub, wished that AlliedBarton would start negotiating with the Philadelphia Security Officers Union (PSOU). Mr. Rub also wished that he would also get $2.6 in tax money for the museum.
It was almost a secret wish, sent only to Councilman Greenlee. Thankfully, Councilman Greenlee sent on Mr. Rub’s wish to the people who can actually grant the wish, AlliedBarton.
Mr. Rabena, in his responce, denying the guards the right to begin bargaining at this time, states some interesting things.
When the PSOU won the election, AlliedBarton said “we look forward to working with the union.” Then, a couple weeks later, they filed objections to the election.
In January, the NRLB through out their objections and stated that the PSOU had not violated any labor laws in the course of the election and urged AlliedBarton to recognize the union and start negotiating. AlliedBarton filled another round of appeals.
In this letter Rabena states that the company observed the PSOU violating some NRLB rules that apparently the NRLB doesn’t know about. Therefore, AlliedBarton will not cooperate at this time. BUT, pending the 3rd NRLB ruling in our favor, they can’t wait to work with us… unless they can find another way to avoid it.
Rabena then goes on to point his finger at Timothy Rub.
Following in the footsteps of Councilman Goode, AlliedBarton points out that the Philadelphia Museum of Art can set any wage standard that they like.
Rabena states, “…AlliedBarton always strives to provide the highest wage and benefit levels…AlliedBarton… is limited as to the compensation it can pay by the hourly rate that our clients are willing to pay us.”
This is important in two respects. Firstly, if you recall, Timothy Rub told Marty Moss Coane (NPR WHYY) that he was prepared to pay more once AlliedBarton had gotten done running us through the gauntlet. Secondly, it has been established that Timothy Rub can change wage rates at any moment, by making it part of his contractual standards with AlliedBarton. Timothy Rub testified last Monday that the AlliedBarton contract is now on a month-to-month basis.
Just to recap:
The PSOU contacts Rub while he was still in Cleveland in the summer of 2009 and asked him to make changes.
Timothy Rub says that it isn’t something that he can deal with.
The PSOU has a party and issues a video communique to Timothy Rub in September of 2009 asking for him to make changes.
Timothy Rub says that it is out of his controll.
After giving Mr. Rub the chance to make changes and getting no where, they win an election forming an independent union, beating the largest, US-based security company.
Timothy Rub says that the he cannot make the changes that we seek.
Timothy Rub comes on the radio and says he is willing to pay more.
Councilman Goode establishes that Timothy Rub can make AlliedBarton pay what ever he wants.
AlliedBarton says that Timothy Rub can make them pay what ever he wants.
What’s the hold up, Tim?
Download the letter from AlliedBarton here…
Oh yeah, I am not so good on the graphics, but here is what I picture, Tim Rub accepting a big check from AlliedBarton for the $15,000 per year donation that the museum gets from AlliedBarton. Mr. Rub is handing Mr. Rabena a $4.6 million dollar check for the yearly contract. Mr. Rub is wearing a t-shirt that says, “I’m with the union-buster.” Mr. Rabena is wearing a t-shirt that says, “I’m with the guy who pays poverty wages.”
Go to work…
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