Because of a recent important arbitration decision, hundreds of Teamsters Local 727 members are working on the massive International Manufacturing Technology Show scheduled Sept. 10 through Sept. 15 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Last month, an arbitrator ruled that exhibition company GES violated the union contract when it used temporary workers rather than Local 727 members to perform tradeshow bargaining-unit work. Nearly 300 Teamster Trade Show Referral List calls were made for the IMTS show as a direct result of the arbitration decision.
“This decision has far-reaching implications, and we are already seeing the positive effects on our members with this machinery show,” said John Coli Jr., president, Local 727. “It is a huge show that puts hundreds of Teamsters to work for more than a month. Our years of patience, hard work and resolve were completely worth it.”
The initial grievance was filed in June 2009. The arbitration hearing was held in November 2010, and the arbitrator’s final and binding decision was handed down in August. The arbitrator agreed with the union’s assertion that GES violated the collective bargaining agreement when it contracted with a temporary staffing company rather than using Teamster Trade Show Referral List employees to perform bargaining unit work during tradeshows.
IMTS is the largest manufacturing show in North America and one of the largest in the world with more than 1,800 exhibitors and 82,000 visitors anticipated this year. It is held every two years at McCormick Place, where the show is occupying more than 1.2 million square feet during its run.
