Greetings Sisters & Brothers,
As many of you have heard by now we have announced a boycott of Quixote Studios & Movie Movers due to their decision to break off negotiations before they even began on August 6th, 2014. The letter that was received from Quixote’s CEO Mikel Elliot expressing Quixote’s decision to walk away from negotiations came as quite a surprise and has not and will not be taken lightly.
I am writing to the Membership in an attempt to be as transparent as possible through this process as well as shed some light onto the situation. Local 399 is seeking to represent two separate bargaining units of Quixote and Movie Movers employees; first being the Drivers and Dispatchers and the second being “Warehouse Employees” which includes RV technicians, Servicemen and Service women among others.
To read the initial Letter from Mikel Elliot and my response on behalf of Local 399 please follow links below:
Letter From Teamsters Local 399
I want to personally thank every one of our members who has decided to return equipment to Quixote in support of our boycott. We ask that you continue to return equipment until we have a contract with this company. We are working diligently to organize Quixote Studios (which recently purchased Movie Movers), until they agree to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement covering Drivers and Dispatchers.
The AMPTP and the AICP have been advised that they have until August 22nd to return Quixote Studios and Movie Movers equipment before we begin picketing in order to give them time to switch out equipment should they choose to do so. We have also requested strike sanctions from Teamsters Joint Council 42 and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. We have the total support of the IBT and our great JC President, Randy Cammack.
Local 399 refuses to compromise on the basic tenets of the labor movement and this great institution. We will fight for the rights of workers to obtain fair wages, working conditions and benefits. Protecting our jobs and keeping them here in California is our top priority but we must continue to organize to protect what we have worked so hard to achieve.
As a united Membership I trust that you will join in the efforts against Quixote Studios and Movie Movers. We ask for you to join us in boycotting the rental of their equipment and we may further call on our Members to picket should the need arise.
How you can get involved:
- Sign up to be on the Picket Line Duty by contacting the Call Board: 818-985-7374 or email callboard@ht399.org or email Business Agent Lindsay Dougherty ldougherty@ht399.org
- Keep checking our Organize Page on the website for updates and announcements
- Follow our social media outlets for shareable images discussing the truth surrounding Quixote Studios labor practices as well as learn more ways to get involved as they arise
At times such as these it is important to stand strong and united. Remember that this is the very reason why we take pride in our name and legacy as Teamsters. I thank you for your support.
For any further questions or concerns please contact office@ht399.org.
Fraternally,
Steve Dayan
Secretary Treasurer
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