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Please Don’t Patronize Union Busting Spot Bar in
I Falls
by Todd Erickson /
UNITE HERE Local 99
Dear
Sisters and Brothers,
The
Spot Firehouse Restaurant in International Falls has been a union
restaurant for 68 years. It opened in 1936 and was organized in 1939. The
Spot was owned by Phil Olson and his family. They treated their employees
like family and there has been a great working relationship with the Olsons
and UNITE HERE Local 99.
In
early January, Bill Fisher of Mora, MN purchased the Spot. He met and hired all the employees that
worked under the Olsons. He stated
that there would be no changes at that time.
Bill
Fisher received a certified letter on January 7th from Local 99 asking that
a meeting be set to sign a contract. It was only then that he stated that he
no longer wanted to be a union shop. After many attempts to contact Mr.
Fisher, he no longer accepts our mail and refuses to sign a contract with
Local 99.
Bill
Fisher’s knowledge of federal labor law leaves something to be desired. He
has not only been aggressively going after union button-wearing members,
but even went so far as to terminate one employee because she was a strong
union supporter. Fisher actually documented in the write ups and termination
papers that she was out of uniform for wearing her union button. This happened
on April 1, 2005.
Employees
were called to attend a meeting at the Spot on Monday, April 11. The topic
was a document that Fisher wanted signed by all employees saying that there
was not support for their union. Would
you say that you support the union 10 days after the strongest union
supporter was terminated for wearing a union pin?
Bill
Fisher's constant attack on workers' rights has workers scared to wear
their union pins let alone sign a piece of paper saying they support their
union. This is a blatant act of coercion.
As
we continue to file unfair labor practice charges, it is apparent that Mr.
Fisher has dug in his heals and is committed to breaking the union at the
Spot Restaurant.
We
will continue to file charges against Mr. Fisher but need the help of labor
to get our message across. Please do not patronize Billy’s Spot Supper Club
when you are in International Falls until Bill Fisher obeys the law!
In
Solidarity,
Todd
Erickson, Staff Representative, UNITE HERE Local 99
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