Southern Hills Granted TRO

[Conan71]

Are they still picketing the Mayo?  I could have sworn I saw picketers at TU in the last week.  Their newsletter says they secured work at TU and the Mayo, so what gives now?

This is nothing but intimidation to get GCI to become a union shop.  Now that I know who the union is bullying for, I will never, ever spend a dime with Midwest Drywall.

[cannon_fodder]

I could have sworn I saw picketers at TU in the last week.

You did.  I saw them there over the weekend as I was heading to the zoo.  I'm not sure if they secured work, but if true then their tactic is god awful. Unless you look into it, you have no idea who they are really angry with.  And not only are they attempting to intimidate a competitor into doing things their way, but they are doing so by harassing their own customers! 

Those not wanting to load the PDF newsletter:

Organizing Report
By Wiley Lee
The Area Standards Campaign in Tulsa is in high gear. We reported
at our last Council meeting that we have initiated an Area Standards
Campaign against Green Country Interiors, Inc., in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. We are holding daily demonstrations in Downtown
Tulsa at the Mayo Hotel, The Crown Plaza Hotel, and have started
an Unfair Labor Practice Picket line at Hillcrest Medical Center.
In conjunction with these activities we continue to banner at Tulsa
University, and three branches of IBC Bank.
As a direct result from these activities we have secured work for our
interior systems contractor. Midwest Drywall has projects at the
Mayo Building in Downtown Tulsa and at Tulsa University, resulting
in approximately 60,000 man hours for our members. By securing
more work for our contractors, we have had more than 30 employees
of Green Country and other interior system contractors, which do
not pay our area standards, join the Union. They are now working
with Midwest.
Our research department continues to investigate all projects we
locate in the Tulsa area so we can keep the pressure on Green
Country and other contractors until they meet area standards.
I would like to give a special thanks to our Leadership at the
International level, our Council Leadership, and all of our
organizers for their dedication in this campaign. Through their
teamwork, I feel certain that we will continue to be successful in
turning the Tulsa market in our favor.

Page 3 of the ARCC Newsletter:
http://www.procarpenters.org/files/ARCC_newsltr_FALL2008_FINAL_1_.pdf

If you don't think Green Country meets the standards - then tell us what your standards are?  If you make a demand you have to support it.   Here's the BLS data on Carpenters:
http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes472031.htm

Tulsa the average is $14.72 according to the BLS.  Recall Green Country pays $14 to $25.  What is the Union wage rate?  And does anyone think that if Green Country raised their wage rate (without joining the union) that they would stop their protests?  I doubt it.

While I'm at it, the statistic about 30 employees defecting is BS.  Take the 60,000 hours of estimated work and divide by 2,000 . . . that's where the number comes from.  It ignore the fact that they need continued work to keep the current roster of Union carpenters employed and says nothing of weather or not anyone "defected." 

The more I know, the more disappointed I am in this labor "movement."  If you provided a higher quality product you'd get more work.  Cheap is good, but in construction speed and quality can trump cheap.  Get good guys, pay them well, and knock out a job in a hurry doing it right the first time and not only will you be able to bring the price down (more work in less time), but people will be willing to pay a premium.

[Conan71]

Someone want to call the union or Midwest as a prospective carpenter or go down to the union hall and apply for work to figure out the wage scale?  You love to do smile like that CF.

Now watch, the union probably pays $13 an hour and then scalps the members for $2 an hour.