Fear, Uncertainity and Doubt is a tactic of desperation. While it may not be the response we hoped for even Mr. Howard's misleading response holds the promise of establishing dialog in the future. Here's our response:
January 15, 2014
Mr. Jim Howard, General Manager
ISS Facility Services
1805 SE Hawthorne Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32641
Dear Mr. Howard,
Thank you for your letter of Jan 5th the first communication we received from you since last April. Please allow us to begin with the truth. Once we correct misinformation we’ll revisit inequity and your lack of response to our earlier attempts at direct communication. Most importantly we must point out that this election is not a vote to join a union or pay dues as you imply. This secret ballot election only authorizes a union to represent us. Please don’t confuse representation with our joining or dues.
Your opening paragraph is quite accurate about the details of our NLRB secret ballot election. But, the second paragraph implies a union is intruding which is not the case. The IBEW was invited after thirteen letters asking for fair and equal treatment went unanswered and you illegally confiscated our petition. This is not an intrusion it is a response to your breaking the law, ignoring appeals and the wage and benefit theft we suffer.
Your third paragraph contains this, bold-faced: “ISS believes that we work best when we work directly together, without interference of an outside third party”.History brings us closer to the truth as we tried to work directly for nine months without response. We do not enjoy the “good jobs with fair pay and benefits” you claim. Historically ISS responds only to union pressure. Union representation is the only way a bridge tender has ever received a meaningful response, unless you consider a 25¢ raise a meaningful (a raise capriciously missing from Blackburn Point that actually suffered a net reduction of 50¢).
Your fourth paragraph states “the issues affecting all of us here in District 2”. You probably intended to reference District 1 since District 2 (Jacksonville) was represented by a union, receives more than $10/hr and their union contract provided: 1). Five Paid Holidays (paid if not worked) on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years’ Day, July 4th & Labor Day; 2). One week of paid vacation per year; 3). Affordable health/hospitalization insurance; 4). One Sick Leave Day per month that accrues (paid if unused); even uniforms and foul weather gear. Union representation improved their jobs with pay and benefits we don’t receive.
It’s a pity you did not respond in good faith, that you confiscated our petition and forced us to seek union representation. It’s a pity you persist in exploitation and profiteering while stonewalling, misinforming and making hollow promises. Long ago we pointed out this was your choice and this election is a consequence of your inequity, inaction and heavy handedness.
We agree it is vital that we all vote and those who vote will decide. If our fellow bridge tenders want better wages and benefits, similar to what unionized bridge tenders won from you in Jacksonville and Dade, they should vote YES.
Sincerely yours,
The Organizing Committee
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