While experiencing record profits, Sotheby’s demands draconian cuts from workers.
Sotheby’s the world-renowned art auction house has seen gross profits of 680 million in 2010. The company is also reporting record profits so far in 2011, and they even went as far to double their CEO’s salary to six million a year. In the climate of such , how did the company see fit to repay their workers? By demanding large wage and benefit concessions.
The laborers who handle the priceless artifacts, prepare the displays, and transport the artwork have been locked out by management for the past three months. The art handler, represented by teamster local 814 during labor negotiations with Sotheby have been expected to take large wage and benefit cuts. in Ari Paul’s article “Sotheby Economy” local 814 President Jason Ide stated that , Sotheby demanded the art handlers take 10% wage cuts, caps on overtime, end to retirement benefits and not only accept low wage non-union temporary workers as new hires; but also train them.
Sotheby representatives, Jackson Lewis are the perfect firm for the task at hand of deunionizing the art handlers. Jackson Lewis an exclusive representative for management offers courses on creating a union free workplace and cutting labor costs. Their “union free” course is offered for a fee of $295 to human resource departments and managers. Since Christies, one of Sotheby’s major competitors in the auction industry, has recently agreed with the union on a contract. This lock out can be seen as having only one goal in my mind, breaking the union representation of the art handlers at Sotheby.
In an era where many Americans might say these laborers should be happy to be employed it is a hard pill for workers to swallow. If Sotheby was seeing low sales, large losses, and a decline in their market I could understand. However, when you can afford 125% raises to you CEO and high-priced anti-Union law firms, all while seeing the highest quarters and yearly gains in your corporate history why can’t Sotheby’s afford to reward their workforce. Why must the handlers take the short end of the stick, so the executives can toast moet and trade in fine art?
For more information on the Teamster local 814's fight for a fair contract you can go to http://www.sothebysbadforart.com/