Workers rally at NYC’s Tavern on the Green (cut employee wages, benefits and pension funds Jan 1,10)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nrn.com/breakingNews.aspx?id=373422&menu_id=1368

By Elissa Elan

NEW YORK (Sept. 25, 2009) More than 500 members of the New York Hotel Trades Council, also known as Local 6, rallied at Tavern on the Green restaurant Friday, protesting what they say are plans to cut employee wages, benefits and pension funds when new operator Dean Poll takes over Jan. 1.

Poll, who last month was awarded a 20-year contract to operate the fine-dining restaurant located in New York City’s Central Park, reportedly submitted a proposal to union president Peter Ward that would nullify many of the provisions Tavern workers enjoy under their current agreement with the restaurant and its management.


Members of Local 6 rallying outside Tavern on the Green.


“Full-time workers who’ve spent the last 20-plus years as loyal Tavern employees could see their health care plan eviscerated, wages slashed, and in some cases, jobs taken away from them,” Ward, who did not attend the rally, said in a prepared statement.

(Click here to view a slide show of the rally.)

Union spokesman John Turchiano claimed Poll wants to eliminate dozens of positions, pay employees a minimum wage and cut benefits — moves that the union and Tavern’s employees will not stand for.

“We will strike for a hundred years if necessary,” he said at the rally. “We will never, ever go away. Anyone who knows this union knows we intend to win this thing and protect our members and their families … and as far as Tavern on the Green is concerned, we want to see that it flourishes, whether that happens under Dean Poll’s management or with another contractor.”

Poll could not be reached directly for comment at press time.

Full story and photos at link.