Union election of NYC’s largest tour bus company is a bitter war of words
Red vest of Grayline Citysights
There are two logos on the back of their vest.
Ticket agents of GrayLine Citysights used to have white and yellow uniforms, but yesterday, Sep.8, 2015, they all wore bright yellow shirts and red vests, but that’s not all that is going on. After the merger of Grayline tour bus and Citysights tour bus, who used to have their own unions, workers had to vote between USWU (United Service Workers Union) Local 1212 — lead by Steven Elliott; and TWU (Transport Worker Union) Local 225 — lead by James Muessig. USWU used to represent the workers of Citysights favoring young ticket agents. On the other hand, TWU, who used to represent Grayline workers, satisfies the senior ticket agents’ need. The vote is, in fact, a battle between two generations.
This election impact one of the key players in an industry that each year over two million visitors to New York City, “spend more than $100 million on these guided tour,” quoted from the indictment of federal government and these two companies. Also, it affects the livelihood of 375 ticket agents, 200 tour guides, and several dispatchers. Different result gives these workers a totally different working package.
Since the merger in 2009, these two companies formed a joint venture — Twin America — controlling most of the important bus stops, making it hard for competitors to share the slice of cake. They together, monopolized the market, and raised the price of tickets by 10%. An anti-trust lawsuit was filed by the State and federal government against the venture in 2012, later on settled with $19 million agreement, also giving up 50 bus stops in Manhattan. That’s when they really had to merge their services and unify their buses. Now, after the TWU Local 225 filed a petition for an election with the National Labor Relations Board, the workers have to pick between two unions.
A senior ticket agent, Xiping Huang, who has sold tickets for 11 years, explained that both unions meet needs of different generations. TWU’s agreement makes the employer match 401k, and also provide health insurance. However they have higher dues than USWU — $45 per month that, “young people are not interested at all, they want the money in front of them,” Huang said. “The TWU also guarantees paid vacation,” somehow revealing his preference for TWU.
Grayline Citysights ticket agent — Prince Diligentdoe
He likes USWU more, but will do more research before voting.
Another ticket agent, an African, Prince Diligentdoe, said that the TWU “lacks the ability of unity and the motivation,” “They are more self-centered and jealous,” “They can’t inform members properly,” he added. Prince believes the USWU, “can get us better salary, better transformation of life and they are more responsible and fair.” He said he’d do more research before Sep. 18 making his final decision, but his colleagues beside him seemed to be pretty assured though, writing “USWU BEST” and wanted the cameraman to take a photo of it.
The contract between TWU members and Grayline has already expired at November 14, 2014. On the contrary, “our contract between USWU members and Citysights will last until May 19, 2017,” said John Poirier, a senior tour guide and a union member of USWU.
Campaign Director and President of TWU Local 225, James Muessig and Carlos A.Padilla
TWU members lobbying on the left hand side of employees’ center, two USWU members crossing their arms standing on the other side.
Carlos A.Padilla, the president of TWU Local 225, said “compare to Bigbus ticket agents, we are making little money, “ pointing at a data showing: Bigbus agents make $21.40 more when selling tickets to a family of four people. That’s why TWU Local 225 want’s to sign a new contract for their workers.
“They are shooting for the stars, and they won’t move from there,” said John.
However, there are always bystanders who don’t care much about what’s going on, which union gets elected. They also will not read their manifesto or what service the unions have provided for their members. There are agents like Maxim Malm who said, “I really don’t care which union gets elected, I’m only here to make my money and live a good life.” Another tour guide, Franca Roberto, 65, also said, “I’m probably going to retire next year; I don’t really care about this mess.”
In order to get more people to vote, both unions have played a war of words by publicizing ethics problems. “The USWU employs A Dirty Dozen of the ORGANIZER” was written on a flyer given out by TWU, listing all the organizers and their revenues. The flyer also pointed out the close relationship between USWU’s top managers. Underlining the problem of not being democratic enough, James Muessig, the campaign director of the TWU Local 225, said, “One family controls the entire union; they never stand for election.” Pointing at the flyer, “Father, daughter, son-in-law, son and other daughter,” James recited.
On the other hand, the USWU posted an article on their news blog: “TWU’s James Muessig’s Racially Charged Remarks”, describing James, as enjoying “being a relentless pot-stirrer,” having “a deep-seated hatred for his employees” and as being racist. Recently another post refering him as, “Snake Oil Salesman Jim Muessig.”
Ticket agents reading and discussing the flyer in Times Square.
It’s already hard for workers to find information about unions’ policies, let alone making choices based on assaulting information. People are more likely to vote for their own union.
After shaking hands with workers on the left hand side of employees’ office, “Citysights used to have 3 hundreds of members, and Grayline got 2,” said Carlos. “But we’ve already turned over lots of them, and we’re doing good,” he added.
John Poirier also said, “it’s 100% we’re winning,” while giving out ice cold water on the right hand side of employees’ office.