Agreement ends labor protest over U.S. Open at Merion

[Joe Bausch]

That's the title of this article in today's Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/neighbors/main_line/20130416_Agreement_ends_labor_protest_over_U_S__Open_at_Merion.html

[Bill_McBride]

I refer non believers to my comments on the thread when this dispute surfaced a month or so ago.  The unions will successfully claim this work, I said, or words to that effect, due to their long standing successful claim to convention and special event work in Philadelphia.

[Jeff Taylor]

I do recall your comments Bill.
I differ with the word claim. They coerced the work.

"USGA spokesman Joe Goode said Tuesday the organization was able to "amend" its contract with Classic Tents to have local carpenters take over the flooring."

A union would never amend a contract to allow others to get work.

I wonder if this amended contract has a sunset clause or if the USGA has to always use local union labor from this point forward.

[Bill_McBride]

The point I was trying to make concerned the ability of unions who work in the exposition and special events industry to coerce their way to jurisdiction and resulting work rules.  This generally derives from the client or sponsor's unslippable deadline to open the event.   I believe I correctly forecast the final result, an agreement where carpenters and stagehands are deeply involved. 

Those are the unions you will see working trade shows at the Philadelphia Convention Center, along with teamsters and electricians. 

[Jeff Taylor]

You certainly were correct.
The USGA would not want this on the radar screen come tournament time.

"This generally derives from the client or sponsor's unslippable deadline to open the event"
Are you suggesting that unions have a higher probability of meeting deadlines or that if not used, they can disrupt the workplace such that the deadline is not met?

Thanks.

[Bill_McBride]

You certainly were correct.
The USGA would not want this on the radar screen come tournament time.

"This generally derives from the client or sponsor's unslippable deadline to open the event"
Are you suggesting that unions have a higher probability of meeting deadlines or that if not used, they can disrupt the workplace such that the deadline is not met?

Thanks.

I was suggesting the latter, but typically union labor in the expo industry has been both experienced and available, two good qualities in that business.  They are usually expensive but there when requested.   I worked in Dallas in the late '70's in the exposition business when our labor pool was off duty firemen.  One time I placed a labor call for 100 men on a Tuesday.  26 showed up.  In Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, Detroit  , you ordered 80 and 100 showed. 

[Dan Herrmann]

These aren't your typical unions.  Their antics (fighting each other physically in the convention center and sinful pricing) are driving convention business out of Philly.