Testimonials
Unchecked power is a dangerous tool. Seven months ago I found myself confronted by a San Diego Union steward demanding that I utilize union labor services to assemble a simple booth display. Having used this same display at dozens of exhibit halls: Philadelphia; Washington DC; Boston; Chicago; Orlando; Los Angeles and others, I had never been forced to employ union labor. Why did I need help screwing in a few screws with my manual allen wrench? The situation escalated to a scene of harassment. I felt threatened, afraid, and completely powerless and devoid of any rights. I refused to pay hundreds of dollars to perform 15 minutes of unskilled simple work (which I was completely capable of performing). I asked to see documentation of the union jurisdiction over manual tools. Nothing was presented other than a generic script about the union’s jurisdiction over assembly of booths. A statement such as that equips a Union to literally have a license to steal.
Exercising their unchecked muscle the Union, without any dialogue or presentation of their jurisdictional contract, insisted on their position. Instead of supporting my position show management removed my booth. Humiliated I lost prospects from the biggest show of the year. The outcome was nearly $15,000 of direct expense with no benefit and the loss of potentially $100,000 of revenue.
I reached out for support, I called the show organizer, the Mayors office, the convention management and while patronizing of my dilemma no solution or effort to rectify the situation was offered. Becoming infuriated that after paying thousands for the privilege of exhibiting at this conference the Union had the power to demand monies and then effect the removal of my exhibit, I made numerous calls looking for some level of advocacy. Fortunately I reached TSEA’s advocacy committee. Immediately TSEA made calls to a variety of high level sources within their network and brought a voice of strength and reason to my situation. Suddenly it wasn’t a 10x10 exhibitor without a voice, TSEA brought influence to support my position and to bring about resolution that was fair.
The story doesn’t end here. Because of the advocacy provided by TSEA, the show organizer is providing a complimentary booth and extending other support to rectify the situation. More importantly steps have been taken instituted by this show organizer to immediately effect mediation rather than allow intimidation or exploitation. Why did this resolution occur? Because of the strength in the membership, TSEA can use the aggregate power and influence to combat the unbridled power of the Union or any other group that wields unchecked demands or constraints.
Without TSEA no resolution would have been reached. Because of TSEA my company’s rights were represented. Being part of TSEA provides important value and is resource for exhibitors everywhere.
Debra Krahel
VP Sales and Marketing
Testimonials
Unchecked power is a dangerous tool. Seven months ago I found myself confronted by a San Diego Union steward demanding that I utilize union labor services to assemble a simple booth display. Having used this same display at dozens of exhibit halls: Philadelphia; Washington DC; Boston; Chicago; Orlando; Los Angeles and others, I had never been forced to employ union labor. Why did I need help screwing in a few screws with my manual allen wrench? The situation escalated to a scene of harassment. I felt threatened, afraid, and completely powerless and devoid of any rights. I refused to pay hundreds of dollars to perform 15 minutes of unskilled simple work (which I was completely capable of performing). I asked to see documentation of the union jurisdiction over manual tools. Nothing was presented other than a generic script about the union’s jurisdiction over assembly of booths. A statement such as that equips a Union to literally have a license to steal.
Exercising their unchecked muscle the Union, without any dialogue or presentation of their jurisdictional contract, insisted on their position. Instead of supporting my position show management removed my booth. Humiliated I lost prospects from the biggest show of the year. The outcome was nearly $15,000 of direct expense with no benefit and the loss of potentially $100,000 of revenue.
I reached out for support, I called the show organizer, the Mayors office, the convention management and while patronizing of my dilemma no solution or effort to rectify the situation was offered. Becoming infuriated that after paying thousands for the privilege of exhibiting at this conference the Union had the power to demand monies and then effect the removal of my exhibit, I made numerous calls looking for some level of advocacy. Fortunately I reached TSEA’s advocacy committee. Immediately TSEA made calls to a variety of high level sources within their network and brought a voice of strength and reason to my situation. Suddenly it wasn’t a 10x10 exhibitor without a voice, TSEA brought influence to support my position and to bring about resolution that was fair.
The story doesn’t end here. Because of the advocacy provided by TSEA, the show organizer is providing a complimentary booth and extending other support to rectify the situation. More importantly steps have been taken instituted by this show organizer to immediately effect mediation rather than allow intimidation or exploitation. Why did this resolution occur? Because of the strength in the membership, TSEA can use the aggregate power and influence to combat the unbridled power of the Union or any other group that wields unchecked demands or constraints.
Without TSEA no resolution would have been reached. Because of TSEA my company’s rights were represented. Being part of TSEA provides important value and is resource for exhibitors everywhere.
Debra Krahel
VP Sales and Marketing