Jim Walsh and his guys won their election despite managements efforts to frame, harass and bully them out of gaining their rights.
Jim called me up about six months ago after another union refused to take them on (because NLRA Section 9 (b) 3 prevents them from organizing guards).
Jim set up a meeting with some of the guards so I could tell them what we had to offer and what they could expect from their employer. I always try to paint a bleak picture and promise nothing more than an expectation of dirty tricks from their employer, hard work and courage from them and, IF THEY WIN, guidance and representation from us.
Then, I explain the long process and road to progress that they will face if they do win. As we see at the museum, negotiating can be a long process.
They all listened patiently to this presentation. After all of that, most people would walk away.
I asked the group, “So, do you guys still want to go forward?”
Luis Parrilla looked at his crew and said, “If we don’t do this, nothing is ever going to change.”
They filed their petition for a union election and the very next day, when the word got out, their managers began messing with people.
They changed everyone’s schedule and cut hours (while at the same time, adding sub-contracted guards to the rotation?).
I thought that the company was going to try to fire some people or force our guys to quit. Somehow they made it through.
They even converted their other two co-workers, who they thought were against the union, into “yes” votes.
The vote was, 6-0. Welcome to the union guys!
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