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Announcement :: Labor |
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Grand Opening! Workers Fight to Unionize Sexuality Boutique |
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by Choke
Email: monty76 (nospam) riseup.net (unverified!) |
27 Aug 2004
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labor! sex! feminism! solidarity!
Organized labor has never been sexier! Grand Opening!, Boston's premier sexuality boutique, has once again revolutionized what it means to sell sex toys. GO! workers have voted to join with UNITE HERE! and form the Grand Opening! Workers' Union. They have taken this step due to the high turnover rate of good employees, the lack of adequate benefits, the lack of a consistently fair living wage, the desire for a meaningful voice in the workplace, and the lack of a formal grievance process, among other issues. |
Grand Opening! Workers Fight to Unionize Sexuality Boutique
Kim Airs, proprietrix of Grand Opening!, founded the store over ten years ago with a commitment to providing a safe and comfortable space for her customers. Her energy has been contagious, as shown by the ever-growing family of workers dedicated to ensuring that her vision is lived out on a daily basis. A longtime GO! employee states, "This job is about more than just sales. I’m proud of my coworkers, who show their compassion, support, and knowledge to every customer who walks through our door."
On Monday August 2, 2004, staffers met with Ms. Airs to present her with their decision to form a union and to call for her recognition. Recognition is the necessary first step before workers can officially join UNITE HERE! and engage in contract negotiations. Despite a unanimous vote to unionize by those eligible, management continues to stall. Since August 2nd, there have been three additional meetings between management and employees, all failing to result in union recognition. Due to this situation, the workers have filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). It is still the workers’ hope that Grand Opening! management will choose to independently recognize the union without need for the NLRB’s intervention.
Grand Opening! workers are deeply committed to the future of the store and to expanding Ms. Airs’ vision of empowered sexuality across America. In forming a union, staff members hope to make Grand Opening! a destination workplace where people will choose to build their careers, making the store an industry leader.
We are now calling for the community to show their support of the store and its employees’ right to unionize. Together we can ensure the future of Grand Opening! and its mission.
please repost and spread the word!
Letters of support should be sent to:
Grand Opening!
318 Harvard St Suite 32
Brookline, MA 02446
or e-mailed to: office (at) grandopening.com.
Any comments or questions about this process can be sent to: GOworkersunion (at) yahoo.com or UNITE HERE! organizer Martie Voland at (508) 951- 5148. We thank you for your support and interest in our endeavors. |
This work is in the public domain |
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