SEIU/Workers United IS NOT AND WILL NEVER BE the union representing the Mellon Arena workers (or any other properties members for that matter)! The members/workers have decided to stay with UNITE HERE LOCAL 57, last year (2009) shortly after this "RAID" went public in March. Yes I said "RAID." It 's been all over the Internet.
A Little fact finding history you may or may not know...
Last year in February, when the "merger" failed between the two Presidents of Unite Here International Union, SEIU felt that they needed to help (themselves) with (to) the confused and helpless rank and file members of Unite Here. So SEIU being a union who appoints their leaders from the top down, formed a "ghost" union (Workers United) to "raid" the confused and/or unwilling (to leave) members of Unite Here all over the country. In the process of trying to destroy the spirit of Unite Here's union and members. With that said, Unite Here being a rank and file, from the bottom up union, the Rank and file members took a stand and decided to stand up against the "bully" who was "raiding" their union. Not only are they fighting back but they are winning! They are backed by mostly all of the International Labor Unions and Local Unions. These Union Leader have demand the "raid" to stop! but, SEIU still won't listen...
Which brings us back to now, in Pittsburgh.
Even the local Political leaders of the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are backing Unite Here Local 57! (There are letters proving this, along with actions taking place from some of them.)
Because of SEIU "raiding" Unite Here Local 57, and across the country, it is giving the bosses what they want! A union that won't stick up for or represent the members/workers. A back door union. A union that will be the boss' union! "A NO BALLS UNION!" And that union IS: SEIU/WORKERS UNITED!!!
There are 15 properties in Local 57 that expire this year. (First up is the Sheraton Hotel, then the Mellon and so on...) Because of this "raid" management refuses to recognize any union. (So they claim.) That is why ARAMARK had sent out that letter to the Mellon workers.
Sam Williamson of the PA Joint Board SEIU/WORKERS UNITED, who thinks he represents the workers at Mellon Arena, called a press conference on Thursday afternoon. Unite Here Local 57 members (including Reps) were invited to the press conference, by Mr Williamson. He personally invited them. (Not that they needed invited to their OWN house!!!) Mr Williamson, being who he is, acted like Unite Here was invading the Press Conference. He flagged down a TV station on the side of Mellon Arena, facing the Epiphany Church (not the New Arena), without waiting for Unite Here Mellon Arena workers or the rest of the Media, who where waiting at Gate 3 of Mellon Arena where the Press Conference was to be. Mr Williamson began his lies to the media by stating that he represents the workers at the Mellon Arena. Unite Here Members surround him as these lies spilled out into the air. These proud members did not say a word. When Mr Williamson was finished, Unite Here began to tell their own side of what's going on at the Mellon Arena. Mr Williamson and his HIRED staff of his "Ghost" union, Workers United/SEIU, who DID NOT work at Mellon Arena (except for two), started to yell and scream at the Unite Here members. Not really too professional of the SEIU and Mr Williamson, now is it?
The Unite Here members ARE the "ACTUAL" workers of the Mellon Arena NOT SEIU! Mr Williamson left that out during "his" press conference. He stated that he was the Representation of Mellon Arena. WRONG!
Mellon Arena (Civic Arena/Consol Energy Center) was, has been and will always be a Unite Here Union House! Did you know that there is over 75% (and growing every day) of Mellon Arena workers that said they want Unite Here to continue to be their one and only union.
Mr Williamson and SEIU, who refuse to listen to the workers and has tried to continue to raid, hijack and play interference with the members. Making it nearly impossible for the workers to concentrate on their jobs when their contract is about to expire. Not only are the Members/workers fighting to keep their jobs and fighting the bosses but they are fighting a raid from another union.
Is this fair? I don't think so! Is it the truth? Yes. I've talked with many of the members...on both sides.I've spent alot of time and done alot of research.
You see, I think I can speak for at least 75% of the Mellon Arena Workers. I work at Mellon Arena for 26-27 years. Mellon Arena is MY house. The Workers and Unite Here Members are MY family! I am a PROUD member of UNITE HERE LOCAL 57!!!
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SEIU/Workers United IS NOT AND WILL NEVER BE the union representing the Mellon Arena workers (or any other properties members for that matter)! The members/workers have decided to stay with UNITE HERE LOCAL 57, last year (2009) shortly after this "RAID" went public in March. Yes I said "RAID." It 's been all over the Internet.
A Little fact finding history you may or may not know...
Last year in February, when the "merger" failed between the two Presidents of Unite Here International Union, SEIU felt that they needed to help (themselves) with (to) the confused and helpless rank and file members of Unite Here. So SEIU being a union who appoints their leaders from the top down, formed a "ghost" union (Workers United) to "raid" the confused and/or unwilling (to leave) members of Unite Here all over the country. In the process of trying to destroy the spirit of Unite Here's union and members. With that said, Unite Here being a rank and file, from the bottom up union, the Rank and file members took a stand and decided to stand up against the "bully" who was "raiding" their union. Not only are they fighting back but they are winning! They are backed by mostly all of the International Labor Unions and Local Unions. These Union Leader have demand the "raid" to stop! but, SEIU still won't listen...
Which brings us back to now, in Pittsburgh.
Even the local Political leaders of the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are backing Unite Here Local 57! (There are letters proving this, along with actions taking place from some of them.)
Because of SEIU "raiding" Unite Here Local 57, and across the country, it is giving the bosses what they want! A union that won't stick up for or represent the members/workers. A back door union. A union that will be the boss' union! "A NO BALLS UNION!" And that union IS: SEIU/WORKERS UNITED!!!
There are 15 properties in Local 57 that expire this year. (First up is the Sheraton Hotel, then the Mellon and so on...) Because of this "raid" management refuses to recognize any union. (So they claim.) That is why ARAMARK had sent out that letter to the Mellon workers.
Sam Williamson of the PA Joint Board SEIU/WORKERS UNITED, who thinks he represents the workers at Mellon Arena, called a press conference on Thursday afternoon. Unite Here Local 57 members (including Reps) were invited to the press conference, by Mr Williamson. He personally invited them. (Not that they needed invited to their OWN house!!!) Mr Williamson, being who he is, acted like Unite Here was invading the Press Conference. He flagged down a TV station on the side of Mellon Arena, facing the Epiphany Church (not the New Arena), without waiting for Unite Here Mellon Arena workers or the rest of the Media, who where waiting at Gate 3 of Mellon Arena where the Press Conference was to be. Mr Williamson began his lies to the media by stating that he represents the workers at the Mellon Arena. Unite Here Members surround him as these lies spilled out into the air. These proud members did not say a word. When Mr Williamson was finished, Unite Here began to tell their own side of what's going on at the Mellon Arena. Mr Williamson and his HIRED staff of his "Ghost" union, Workers United/SEIU, who DID NOT work at Mellon Arena (except for two), started to yell and scream at the Unite Here members. Not really too professional of the SEIU and Mr Williamson, now is it?
The Unite Here members ARE the "ACTUAL" workers of the Mellon Arena NOT SEIU! Mr Williamson left that out during "his" press conference. He stated that he was the Representation of Mellon Arena. WRONG!
Mellon Arena (Civic Arena/Consol Energy Center) was, has been and will always be a Unite Here Union House! Did you know that there is over 75% (and growing every day) of Mellon Arena workers that said they want Unite Here to continue to be their one and only union.
Mr Williamson and SEIU, who refuse to listen to the workers and has tried to continue to raid, hijack and play interference with the members. Making it nearly impossible for the workers to concentrate on their jobs when their contract is about to expire. Not only are the Members/workers fighting to keep their jobs and fighting the bosses but they are fighting a raid from another union.
Is this fair? I don't think so! Is it the truth? Yes. I've talked with many of the members...on both sides.I've spent alot of time and done alot of research.
You see, I think I can speak for at least 75% of the Mellon Arena Workers. I work at Mellon Arena for 26-27 years. Mellon Arena is MY house. The Workers and Unite Here Members are MY family! I am a PROUD member of UNITE HERE LOCAL 57!!!