By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
Fireworks erupted during the convention center oversight committee held on Tuesday April 29th. The convention center oversight committee held its first meeting in the new St. Charles Convention Center.
The meeting became heated when a letter was read from Dan McKay, President of Teamsters Joint Council #13 and President of Teamsters Local Union 600, announcing they, along with Decorators and Displaymens Local 39 and Stagehands Local 6, were planning to set up pickets starting opening day. Larry Sachse, Vice President of the Sports Authority spoke out against Roger Pryor and Chairman Ken Kielty for refusing to communicate with the unions. Sache stated, “I talked to Dan McKay twice today and he is upset because Global Spectrum (the company contracted to run the convention center) has refused to return any of his phone calls. Sache said it was his understanding our contract with Global Spectrum required they negotiate in good faith with all unions.
Mayor York said, “ we built this convention center using union labor.” She stated it was her understanding after the center was built, “We were through dealing with the unions.” The Mayor went on to say she was against dealing with three or four unions when it comes to running the center. Mayor York indicated the Teamsters were the demise of the convention center in St. Louis.
Dan Mckay said he objected strongly to York’s statement and pointed out two months ago he received a commodation from the St. Louis Convention and Business Center for his willingness to work them and make concessions in order to generate more business for the convention and tourism products. Frank Condellire, Business Agent for U.S.W.A. Local 39, who was in the audience, received the same award. McKay went on to say the St. Louis Business Journal is also featuring a story on how they have been working as a team for the betterment of St. Louis. Mr. McKay said, “We have been a strong supporter of St. Charles and we represent over 26,000 members throughout St. Charles and surrounding areas.” McKay said, “If St. Charles refuses to meet and discuss the issues at hand, I guarantee you we will set up pickets on opening day. This will include the Mayor’s Ball.”
Councilman Mark Brown who also sits on the oversight committee said, “I was not on the board when all this started. “If this committee is about to spend $500,000 on a grand opening party and have unions picketing the entrance they are out right crazy.” Brown continued, “This is the most ludicrous thing they have done. Brown stated, “You guys need to get this worked out before April the 7th.” Brown went on to say, “This is what happened at the Family Arena and to this day, they have never recovered. We don’t need two white elephant’s in this city.”
Ken Kielty, Sports Authority Chairman, said as far as he was concerned we can open this center with just five janitors and he was not in favor of negotiating with three different unions. Councilman Hoepfner said, “Don’t forget, if it was not for these unions we would not have a convention center.” Kielty commented, “They only gave us $75,000 to run the campaign, we are not going to let them ruin this center like they did in St. Louis.” Councilman Brown said McKay told him Local 600 wanted to work with St. Charles and he was willing to make great concessions to help see that our center is a big success.
The committee then voted to make Roger Pryor and Shrura Lundgren, Global Spectrum Manager, sit down with the unions and listen to their concerns. Pryor balked, but agreed to comply with the committees wishes. Sache said, “We hired Pryor as a consultant to work this out and I assumed it was taken care of.” Sache clarified Pryors consulting work was done during the few months he was off the committee. Pryor said he would not charge the committee for his additional services.
In addition to the convention center opening under union pickets, numerous items were discussed concerning last minute preparations for the grand opening scheduled for this Thursday.
The committee also argued with Paric the construction management company. Paric was requesting $146,000 extra because there were so many change work orders. Sache, Brown and Hoepfner said the contract was to see the project through to completion and pointed out most of the change orders were not the fault of the City. Councilman Hoepfner has been critical of Paric’s Business practices concerning the justice center.
Also, Allowing John Hammond, the hotel operator, to break his contract in which he agreed to pay the convention center $250,0000 to operate the food and beverage service during the first year. The contract provided each year there after would increase by $50,000. Mark Brown pointed out Hammond was responsible for most of the increased construction cost. (Hammond is about four months behind on their construction and has cost the convention center extra money to work around them.). Brown said, “Allowing them to break their contract not only cost us money but now we have to pay Global to operate the food and beverage. Councilman Hoepfner and Brown voted no.
More fireworks are expected at Tuesday’s meeting of the Convention oversite committee.
