Newly-organized auto repair technicians at Ed Morse Sawgrass Auto Mall in Sunrise, FL, are protesting unfair labor practices at the dealership.
Anti-union activities by a Florida auto dealership drew a formal complaint from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and a stiff penalty from an Administrative Law Judge for wrongful discharge of a union supporter.
Auto repair technicians at Ed Morse Sawgrass Auto Mall in Sunrise, FL voted overwhelmingly for IAM representation last July. Since then, executives at the Ed Morse dealership have refused to bargain in good faith for a first contract and unlawfully fired one employee, Craig Robinson, for supporting the union.
Following an Unfair Labor Practice complaint filed by the IAM, Administrative Law Judge William Cates ordered Robinson back to work with full back pay. “We have other charges pending against Sawgrass for failure to bargain,” said Southern Territory Organizer Dave Porter, who estimated Robinson’s back pay will come to about $90,000. Officials at the dealership have also withheld wage increases and charged employees with the full cost of their health care premium.
The technicians at the dealership have an exemplary service record, setting company production records the week they filed for representation and consistently being rated in the top 10 in a field of 6,000 dealers in 10 different categories relating to service.
“It’s time for Sawgrass to stop their anti-union activity, and to sit down and negotiate with their employees,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “The IAM represents Auto Technicians across the country, and these technicians also deserve to have their skills, their rights and their wishes respected.
