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IWW BINGO STRIKE WINS CONTRACT But Management still playing tricks as fate of Bingo Hall remains uncertain... (Allentown Pennsylvania) Bingo Hall management agreed June 22 to a contract with IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) employees. Grievance procedures, work rules, discipline, work standards and seniority were negotiated up front as part of the last minute settlement. In addition, all of the old wages and benefits are to remain in effect for 90 days to allow time for new contract language negotiations. The agreement was reached just hours before deadline set for Administrative Law court trial which would have heard NLRB charges against management. PASCAL and Allied Air Force, the Bingo club owners, both agreed to reinstate all fired workers and pay nearly $25,000 back wages. Boulevard Bingo became the target of IWW organizing drive June 1992, after 10 workers were fired for protesting unfair work rules. The fired workers joined IWW and began a campaign of pickets, direct action, and NLRB charges. After being re-instated, then fired again, the workers filed a second set of charges including a Section 10(j) injunction ordering hall to stop illegal labor practices. BANKRUPTCY ATTEMPTED In late May, Bingo manager and PASCAL President John Havassy filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from creditors, thus delaying the Administrative Law trial which had been scheduled June 1. Despite fact that bingo hall takes in half a million dollars a year, Havassy claimed lawyer fees and back wages were too much. Havassy also told bankruptcy court that IWW workers were maliciously attempting to drive PASCAL out of business, and asked that no IWW workers be re-instated until after the business was re-organized. Bankruptcy Court ordered NLRB proceedings delayed for 3 weeks. At June 10 Bankruptcy hearing, the judge said he wouldn't issue a ruling until the following Tuesday to allow time for a settlement to be reached. POINTS OF NEGOTIATION With this deadline, bingo management realized it was fighting a losing battle. PASCAL's attorney contacted IWW with settlement offer -- PASCAL was willing to re-instate 8 fired workers, but insisted on excluding 2 workers who are strong Union supporters. The IWW--IU630 Job Shop promptly rejected this offer and proposed instead that all 10 workers would be re-instated and the IWW would be given voluntary recognition as the collective bargaining agent for the workers. The IWW was willing to make concessions on back pay, but only in return for a signed Union contract. Both PASCAL and Allied rejected this provision. The Bankruptcy judge then rejected PASCAL's request for an injunction, and ordered the NLRB trial to proceed on June 22. TRIAL DEADLINE FORCES AGREEMENT Once in court, the Administrative Law judge offered both sides a chance to try and reach settlement before trial began. Once again, sticking point was contract recognizing the Union, and the judge bluntly stated that if an agreement was not reached by that afternoon, the trial would start next morning. Faced with threatening deadline, management agreed to the contract as described above. Although we didn't get everything we wanted, the Wobblies consider it a tremendous victory. We have stuck together and fought for over a year against the bingo management's illegal practices and legal maneuvring -- AND we finally compelled a man (John Havassy) who once swore that there would never be a Union in his bingo hall, to recognize the IWW and sign a contract with it. The contract is favorable on all of the issues which provoked the strike -- work rules and disciplinary procedures. The IWW extends its congratulations to the bingo workers on their victory. Your courage and fighting spirit are an inspiration to all, and serves as an example to workers in small shops throughout the Lehigh Valley and across North America. IT AIN'T OVER July 2 Update: Bingo workers reported that scabs, hired during the strike, were on the shop floor -- sometimes as part of management, sometimes not. At times, there have been more "management" personnel on the floor than the number of workers. An IWW worker was told by Havassy not to report to work on Monday July 5, because the place was going to be run by all volunteers. Meanwhile, an unconfirmed report said that Boulevard's license had been revoked, presumably by state authorities, and the hall would not be allowed to open on that date. While a promise of back pay has been made, no payment has been received as yet. INDUSTRIAL WORKER ---THE CUTTING EDGE OF INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY Subscribe $15/yr. NEW RED & BLACK IW * STICKERS * NOW AVAILABLE $1 EA.!!! BE THE FIRST IN YOUR LOCAL ORDER TODAY --- Industrial Worker, PO Box 4217 Stn E, Ottawa ON K1S 5B2