The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) issued the following statement in response to the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board dismissal of the unfair labor practice charges filed by the Carpenters Local 8 and Teamsters Local 107 against the Center. Similar charges were dismissed by the National Labor Relations Board in July 2014.
“We are pleased that that Labor Board’s Hearing Examiner agreed with our argument that the Authority does not employ the Show Labor Workers at the Center and, therefore, it lacks jurisdiction,” said John McNichol, President and CEO, PCCA. “Moreover, we believe — and have maintained for months – that the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority acted in a fair manner and within the law. These new work rules and expanded exhibitor rights were needed to fulfill the Center’s responsibility to become more competitive, address customer concerns, and meet our mission of serving as the economic driver for the region’s hospitality industry.”
McNichol noted that the PCCA extended an offer to six unions in May 2014 to sign a new agreement to provide show floor labor at the Center. Four unions agreed to the more competitive terms and signed the agreement while two unions did not sign by the established deadline.
“The response to these new work rules from the meeting and convention industry has been incredible,” said McNichol. “In the nine months since the new work rules went into place in May 2014, we have booked a total of 28 major events, meetings and conventions at the Center that will fill more than 560,000 total hotel room nights and bring an economic impact of more than $870 million. This is an incredible turn around that underscores the necessity of these work rule changes to ensure the long-term success of the convention center and the region’s hospitality industry.”
