Part-time and on-call workers with Columbus, OH-based George E. Fern Company voted unanimously for representation by Local 12 of the IATSE, stated Thomas C. Short, International President. The NLRB election held June 9, 2005, creates a bargaining unit that consists of part-time and on-call employees whose primary jobs are to set up and dismantle tradeshows for the George E. Fern Company in various Columbus venues.

Established in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1909, the George E. Fern Company initially began as a window-trimming business and expanded their services to include decorating for local fairs and special events in the 1930s. The George E. Fern Company provides a full range of services for expositions, show organizers and their participating exhibitors; and for conventions, meeting planners, corporate events, and corporate exhibit managers. In recent years, the company has expanded its Midwest base by establishing warehouse operations in Charlotte, NC, Nashville, TN, St. Louis, MO, Minneapolis, MN, and Kansas City, MO.

“The goal of the IATSE is to assure that all workers are afforded the same opportunities, job protections and benefits, regardless of how they are categorized,” said President Short. “We consider this unanimous vote to represent a victory for the part-time and on-call members of our industry and for all of our members.”