The IATSE has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the owners of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Ice Palace Arena in Tampa, Florida, it was announced by Thomas Short, President of the IA. The charges are the result of the Ice Palace’s efforts to thwart the union, which represents Arena employees. The Arena owners’ are charged with threatening employees with discipline for discussing the Union at the facility, discharging the Union’s president, and prohibiting employees from wearing Union insignia. employees who are affected include painters, carpenters, electricians, ice conversion crew and Zamboni Drivers.
Charges filed with the NLRB also allege that the Ice Palace owners have refused to negotiate with the Union, which has represented Palace employees for over three years. Since the charges were filed, employees from other departments in the facility have also approached the IATSE for Union representation.
The Union is currently planning activities to inform the public of the Tampa Ice Palace’s illegal activities including a public boycott of events at the Ice Palace until the owners agree to negotiate with the union in good faith and stop threats to their employees.
