Omni Duct Boycott Issue

John R. Hall

I'm wondering of anyone here is aware of this letter which was distributed to HVAC contractors in California, Nevada and Arizona (according to Omni Duct). It originates from the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA). Anyone care to comment?

LETTER:

April 14, 2004



All Non Signatory Contractors



RE: Warning – OMNI Duct



Dear HVAC Contractor:



You may be purchasing materials from Omni Duct, a manufacturer located in Anaheim and Sacramento, California. While Omni Duct has a collective bargaining agreement with one of our local unions for part of its production, the majority is performed by workers who are not covered by an agreement with the SMWIA. Even those with a union contract are paid considerably less than the standards generally prevailing in California for SMWIA members engaged in production.



We are therefore asking all HVAC contractors in Omni Duct’s market area to cease purchasing any material from this company. We will appreciate the cooperation of your company. We have included a card with this letter that we ask you to fill out. The card provides you with the opportunity to inform us about your intentions concerning the purchase of materials from Omni Duct. If we do not receive a card back from you, your company will be placed on our list of contractors needing further attention. The further attention will take the form of investigation into the extent of your use of Omni Duct materials, communications with your employees, communications with your customers, and ultimately, perhaps requests to your customers to stop doing business with you. Although these activities are protected by our right of free speech, we would prefer not to have to resort to them, but we must correct the Omni Duct problem.



If you have any questions, please contact Michael G. Small, Director of Organizing at 202-662-0850.



Sincerely yours,



Michael J. Sullivan

GENERAL PRESIDENT

John@Reliable_9

And unions wonder why they are a thing of the past.......

I love these lines "If we do not receive a card back from you, your company will be placed on our list of contractors needing further attention. The further attention will take the form of investigation into the extent of your use of Omni Duct materials, communications with your employees, communications with your customers, and ultimately, perhaps requests to your customers to stop doing business with you. Although these activities are protected by our right of free speech, we would prefer not to have to resort to them, but we must"

jackchips_2

Here's another

one. A developer in Quincy, Ma is building a multi unit complex with all Union labor. The appliances have been delivered by a trucking company with all Teamster drivers.

The Union workers on site are refusing to let the Union truckers deliver the appliances into the building because of a territorial dispute. Some workers have even damaged stoves and punctured truck tires. They are waiting for a ruling from some territorial manager for a resolution.

I'm with an open shop and my Dad, 85, is a life member of Plumbers Local 4 out of Worcester. Neither one of us would ever be able to understand this one.

As poor Rodney King said "Can't we just get along?"

Bryan_16

balls,

unions have them.

lchmb

love free speach

ok so the next letter say's either pay this or else I'll tell everyone bla bla bla...isnt that similiar to strong arming someone??? Or Blackmail...sound's like a hidden threat..hmmmmmmmmm IMHO

Ken D.

Boycott

US jobs of all types are flying the country in droves, most headed to a communist country and this is what the unions complain about. Someone's priorities are screwy.

Steve Paul

not too bright

The letter (as it appears) if it truly comes from the local union had to have been written by a dummy. The first thing that comes to mind is it is a call for a secondary boycott. That is a federal law violation. The second thing is that the wording is an implicit and not so vieled threat to ruin a business. This is probably amunition for the attorney generals office to have a field day. Some one may go to prison. On the other hand a smart **** contractor may have originated the letter to implicate the union officials and stir up a whole pot load of trouble. We should not take things we read at face value.

ed wallace

boycott

makes me want to buy product from company with union troubles

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John R. Hall

Steve

The letter is genuine. I interviewed the president of Omni Duct and am still awaiting word from the union to defend the letter.