B&H Photo workers start drive to unionize

[r_a_feldman]

I do not want this to veer off into politics, but just want to bring this to the forum’s attention:

Workers at B&H Photo are claiming that they are forced to work in unsafe conditions and are starting a drive to unionize.

This was reported on in the NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/14/nyregion/workers-at-bh-photo-video-citing-hazards-move-to-unionize.html?_r=0) and also the Al Jazeera America website (http://america.aljazeera.com/multimedia/2015/10/bh-workers-claim-discrimination-unsafe-standards1.html).

Bob

[Tin Can]

+1.

[djdister]

Well by posting this here, B&H (who has a member on this forum) is entitled to respond, or else the mods should delete this thread in its entirety.

[AuditorOne]

Well by posting this here, B&H (who has a member on this forum) is entitled to respond, or else the mods should delete this thread in its entirety.

Not trying to be a smartass but...why? I mean, anyone has the right to comment, including B&H. Buy if they don't, why does this thread need to be deleted? It is industry news, right?

[r_a_feldman]

I would welcome hearing B&H's side of the story, so I hope that they do comment.

I only hope that, if the union drive is successful, that they do not go the way of Altman Camera in Chicago, which closed rather than unionize.

Bob

[Jac@stafford.net]

I only hope that, if the union drive is successful, that they do not go the way of Altman Camera in Chicago, which closed rather than unionize.

I remember that all too well. It's a tough call.

[djdister]

Not trying to be a smartass but...why? I mean, anyone has the right to comment, including B&H. Buy if they don't, why does this thread need to be deleted? It is industry news, right?

Well, basically for the same reason that only factual information can be posted in the buyer/seller advisories. The OP may or may not be based on hearsay...

[BrianShaw]

If B&H responds, I really hope they will do it where it counts and is more appropriate: in the NYTimes or on Al Jezeera.

[Sal Santamaura]

...only factual information can be posted in the buyer/seller advisories...This thread is in the "Business" category, not the "Buyer-Seller Advisories" category.


...The OP may or may not be based on hearsay...The OP is factual. It reports what is being claimed by the workers; it doesn't present those claims as fact. It also includes links to summaries of the worker claims by two established news organizations.

I see no reason why this thread should be deleted, in part of in full. Henry Posner, B&H's representative who's a member of this forum, is certainly aware of the news media coverage and resulting activity at multiple forums. I have no inside information, but strongly suspect that B&H's lawyer(s) advised the firm not to make any comment about the allegations.

[Kodachrome25]

If B&H responds, I really hope they will do it where it counts and is more appropriate: in the NYTimes or on Al Jezeera.

+1

[BrianShaw]

... Henry Posner, B&H's representative who's a member of this forum, is certainly aware of the news media coverage and resulting activity at multiple forums. I have no inside information, but strongly suspect that B&H's lawyer(s) advised the firm not to make any comment about the allegations.

No doubt... and the B&H legal team has probably told him to zip his lips... as you said. That is what is right for all parties involved, including us flies on the wall.

[Sal Santamaura]

... zip his lips... as you said. That is what is right for all parties involved, including us flies on the wall.What?!? You want internet forums to refrain from wild speculation and jumping to conclusions? Heresy! :D

[BrianShaw]

Burn me at a stake... please! That's what they do with heretics isn't it? It's been that kind of day and it isn't getting any better. Poor me.

[Fred L]

I don't necessarily think we should keep quiet on this. If B&H realise that people will stop shopping there, that may encourage them (unlikely imo) to begin earnest (presuming it hasn't been so far but that's just speculation) negotiations to rebuild the relationship between employer and employee.

If the staff who are fighting to unionise find there's no support for them, then they have to weigh that but most union drives aren't attached to public support. It's about equitable and safe working conditions for employees that motivate labour organisation. Even the most right wing of businesses can become union shops if enough workers agree to it.

Regardless, I'm looking at other options until this situation is resolved. That may mean biting my tongue and accepting Freestyle's horrendous shipping charges to Canada. or paying the ridiculous markups on imported film products.

[Oren Grad]

I'm going to close this. Members are obviously free to follow the story through the news media and make whatever decisions they wish, but this is not the appropriate venue to discuss issues surrounding unionization, and it's pointless to speculate about who is going to say what, where, why or about what might follow.

If B&H wishes to post an official statement we can include it in the thread.