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Berman warns of unionization efforts and other labor pains

Berman warns of unionization efforts and other labor pains

LOS ANGELES —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

Berman, president of the Washington, D.C.-based public affairs and lobbying firm Berman & Co., said the foodservice industry must not make the same mistakes in the years ahead as it did in 2006, when ballot initiatives to raise minimum wages easily passed in six states with little industry opposition. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

Beyond wage increases, the industry faces challenges from universal health care initiatives, sick-pay demands, immigration issues and, most importantly, Berman said, union organization. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

“Union organization is the biggest threat facing the industry,” he said. “This industry will be turned upside down.… This is for real.” —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

Berman, who also writes a monthly column for Nation’s Restaurant News, cited the pending passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which would remove the need for unions to use secret ballots when workplaces are debating union representation. Instead, the initiative would allow unionization to occur if just 50 percent of the workforce signs cards supporting a unionized workplace. Berman said all Democratic candidates for president in 2008 have endorsed this legislation, which in his opinion makes union organization much easier than it currently is. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

In addition, unions need to garner just 50 percent of workers’ support, even if that 50 percent relates only to kitchen workers, for example, or a “minority union” as it is called, because it represents just a portion of a business. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

Advertisements that highlight the potential conflicts employees might face with union pressure are available on www.unionfacts.org, he noted. They show employees being badgered by union officials into signing union support cards against their will. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

“The point is, it can be done, and it probably will be done unless we manage public opinion,” he said. “We are going to get killed in early 2009 unless we get our acts together in 2008.” —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

Berman suggested that the industry start to market its positions on labor, which he presented as union-opposed, just as it markets its food and service. Companies should begin marketing internally with the millions of current employees, he said. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

Currently, public opinion is squarely with union organizations, he reported. The majority of respondents to a recent poll said they do not believe unions have too much power, and 67 percent of respondents said they support the efforts by unions to have more influence on business. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

The foodservice industry is a target, Berman said, noting that Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, one of the unions in the United States, has said he wants service jobs to reflect the manufacturing jobs of yesterday. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

Foodservice industry efforts to stifle what can become expensive and disruptive union behavior must begin now, Berman said. The industry’s lack of early action in opposing minimum-wage hikes, and the resulting losses and labor expenses the industry subsequently endured, should not happen again when it comes to union organization and other labor issues, Berman said. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

“If you have vision and judgment, you get involved early,” he said. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

Other hot-button issues that Berman suggested industry leaders pay attention to, and more importantly get involved with, include mandatory health insurance initiatives, which already are underway in various states; continued menu labeling issues that may soon focus on sodium counts after the trans-fat issue is handled; and immigration reform, which Berman predicted will soon come to a head. —During one of the first sessions at this year’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, attendees received a call to action surrounding the “potential devastating effects of unions” and various other labor pains from longtime industry lobbyist Richard Berman.

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