Greenbrier union leadership about three years too late June 5, 2009
I guess the union leadership at the Greenbrier finally got the message. жесткий трах
Sadly, it was about three years too late.
But, the union leaders’ comments in the Sunday Gazette-Mail were priceless.
“The employees voted for this contract to make sure this grand old lady survives,” said Peter Bostic, associate director of Workers United, which represents nearly 900 Greenbrier workers.
Huh?
The Greenbrier union signed on to a contract significantly worse than the one they were offered by CSX 3 years ago, and 2 years ago, and one year ago, and eight months ago.
At that time, the union’s intransigence nearly sunk the “grand old lady.”
Despite pleas from CSX that the union’s compensation package was grossly out of line with industry standards, the unions wouldn’t budge.
It was only when the Greenbrier itself went belly up that the financial reality of what the Greenbrier was facing slapped them across the face.
Instead of years ago making concessions to keep the Greenbrier afloat, the unions nearly drove it into the ground. It’s good - NOW - that they are finally wanting to “save” the grand old lady.
The other comment that cracked me up was this…
Under the contract, Greenbrier workers must pay significantly more for health insurance, Bostic said. New employees also must work more hours before they become eligible for the resort’s insurance plan, he said. copegus
“The employees understand The Greenbrier should survive,” Bostic said. “This is their part in showing they’re willing to chip in and get this done.”
Wow, now that takes some cajones for this Bostic fellow.
The employees understand The Greenbrier should survive? And, this is their part?
Wow.
I mean, I remember the ads in the Gazette just a few months ago that CSX was trying to starve the children of the Greenbrier union employees. CSX was actually daring to ask the Greenbrier unions to pony up a little cash for their health care - like the rest of the world - and they went to war over it.
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla movie full
Freddy vs. Jason psp Now, the war is over. And, everyone has lost.
I hope the Greenbrier survives. Our state needs it to survive. It is an unparalleled showplace of our state .
Unfortunately, the union leadership there almost (and still may) have caused it to implode.
The Greenbrier resort’s parent company CSX had told the union for years that their compensation package was so out of line with other top resorts that this gravy train was going to derail.
The immovable union leadership refused to listen. Not only did they refuse to listen, they went to war.
In the last year the writing was on the wall - a wall the size of the Great Wall of China - that the Greenbrier was teetering on the brink of collapse. Even then, the unions wouldn’t budge.
Now, they have. Not only have they budged, they broke. Let’s hope their inflexibility has not broken the Greenbrier forever.
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6 Responses to “Greenbrier union leadership about three years too late”
The Greenbrier is a State Treasure.
It is a shame that most people in the state have never been able to afford it. Maybe that will change now.
It is a shame that 99.99% of groups are not from WV. Groups make up a big slice of the Greenbrier’s business in the shoulder seasons.
Why doesn’t our own groups and statewide boards meet at the Greenbrier and support our states treasure? Pity the fool who’s group stays there and gets blasted in the media for doing it. Glade Springs, Stonewall, and the Marriott in Charleston can cost more than a retreat at the Greenbrier, but you will get murdered by the press if you dare make the trip to Greenbrier county and stay anywhere but the General Lewis or the Brier.
So, the Jewel of WV charm and hospitality is off limits to almost every public group in WV. Someone should change this perception. Who has the stones?
I have a friend who went to a wedding at the Greenbrier last fall. Room rate? 159.00 per night. A room in Washington DC, Boston, Philly even a good hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh/Columbus/Cleveland or Charlotte would have been the same or more. It sometimes isn’t the price but the perception.
I hope the new owners make the Greenbrier accessible for all by pricing itself correctly all the while holding on to the traditions and grandeur that makes it the Jewel of WV and the whole country.
I understand from fellow union employees that the Bostic clan (Peter whos is head of one union and his father philip) will both be replaced by the union when their term of office is up for election soon. Neither is capable of being head of the union and taking all the big trips at union expense. The employees are tired of this type of thing. Look out Bostic’s you both may have to get a real job. The Greenbrier County Democrat Executive Committee does not need a Headquaters at election time because they have one at the union office.
One big problem with the modern labor movement is that members rarely hold leadership accountable.
I wonder if the members will fire Bostic and others on the leadership team as the net result of following them is they have a far worse deal now than if they would have acquiesed 3 years ago.
Ken Ward told Hoppy that Cecil Roberts should have the courage to push the Obama Carbon Tax because he will “be president as long as he wants” and is the only person around who can afford to take the risk. With the UMWA now unionizing far more nurses than miners, its primary business in now no longer representing working coal miners.
The UAW’s mismanagement has cost tens of thousands autoworkers their jobs. Just a few short years ago, their primary interest was protecting job bank workers (workers whose models were discontinued and were paid to show up and sit in a breakroom all day). UAW contracts did not allow the automakers to reassign workers when a model or plant was no longer in business.
The problem with turning your fate over to others is that they make decisions not in your best intests - but everyones’s in the name of solidarity.
The only segment of society with less accountability than government is union leadership.
One big problem with the modern labor movement is that members rarely hold leadership accountable.
I wonder if the members will fire Bostic and others on the leadership team as the net result of following them is they have a far worse deal now than if they would have acquiesed 3 years ago.
Ken Ward told Hoppy that Cecil Roberts should have the courage to push the Obama Carbon Tax because he will “be president as long as he wants” and is the only person around who can afford to take the risk. With the UMWA now unionizing far more nurses than miners, its primary business in now no longer representing working coal miners.
The UAW’s mismanagement has cost tens of thousands autoworkers their jobs. Just a few short years ago, their primary interest was protecting job bank workers (workers whose models were discontinued and were paid to show up and sit in a breakroom all day). UAW contracts did not allow the automakers to reassign workers when a model or plant was no longer in business.
The problem with turning your fate over to others is that they make decisions not in your best intests - but everyones’s in the name of solidarity.
The only segment of society with less accountability than government is union leadership.
I am just finishing re-reading the history of The Greenbrier by historian, Dr. Robert Conte. I remember as a child camping w/ my family near White Sulphur Springs. We went over to see the famed hotel and I saw my first Cannas–tall and red in large round beds. I’ve loved Cannas ever since.
Laughingly, in the 1960’s, I told my parents that when I got a PhD I wanted a trip to The Greenbrier–I had no intention of going further than my masters degree. In 1987 just after receiving my PhD from UNC, my parents sent me and 2 friends who had helped me do some field work to The Greenbrier for 3 days. Wonderful!! We had a great time and the other 2 suggested I get another PhD in order that they get another 3 days there–they even lived after those comments.
Since then, I attended 2 state meetings of the WV Garden Clubs held there.
The Greenbrier surely is a treasure and the history shows just how much. Sadly, the unions are sending it the way of the auto industries w/ their endless demands having nothing to do w/ reality. And now Obama shows contempt for anyone (other than himself and the wife)who goes to a place such as that or spends money on anything which might be considered luxury. Perhaps he and the unions can finally kill the resort which has survived for more than 200 years through amazing times. But it may not be able to survive the union/Obama duet.
So true.