Sotheby’s picketers issue statement
International Brotherhood of Teamsters logo. PRNewsFoto/International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Washington, DC.
NEW YORK (PRNewswire-USNewswire) – Members of Teamsters Local 814, the union that has been picketing Sotheby’s since the auction company’s lock-out of more than 40 union art handlers, are speaking out about what they view as an injustice.
In a press release issued by Teamsters Local 814, the union cites Sotheby’s “wildly successful year with gross profits topping $680 million” and says that in spite of it all, the company “[demanded] they take major concessions.”
“In place of the experienced staff of Teamsters Local 814 members, Sotheby’s will have temporary replacement workers handling the valuable paintings and sculptures of some of the wealthiest collectors in the world,” the release goes on to say.
“It’s hard to believe,” said shop steward David Martinez. “We contributed to the company’s success, and now they want to slash full-time jobs and replace us with non-union, temporary positions.”
“It seems to me that they are putting the whole operation at risk,” said Local 814 President Jason Ide. “Putting multimillion-dollar works in the hands of a temporary crew is not a good idea.”
The press release said workers “were surprised to receive letters on Friday, July 29, telling them not to come to work on Monday, especially since Sotheby’s had made statements in the media promising to spend ‘as much time as necessary’ at the bargaining table to reach a fair agreement…Of course, not everyone at Sotheby’s is being asked to take a pay cut. CEO William Ruprecht’s compensation more than doubled in 2010, reaching almost $6 million.”
Sotheby’s chief rival, Christie’s, signed a four-year contract with Teamsters Local 814 in April that added full-time jobs.
Click here to read Auction Central News‘ previous coverage of this subject, which includes comment from Sotheby’s: http://acn.liveauctioneers.com/index.php/features/auction-houses/5181-art-handlers-picket-sothebys-over-contract-dispute
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