Carpenters’ union members are standing in front of High Desert Harley-Davidson in BoDo, handing out neon yellow flyers with grainy pictures of Kim Jong-Il, Fidel Castro, and Dave Thomas, the owner of the Treasure Valley Harley dealership.
“Which of these Dictators is helping drive down wages in Boise?” is the question posed in bold letters on the flyer. “If you guessed Dave Thomas, owner of High Desert Harley Davidson then pat yourself on the back!” The flyer asks recipients to call Thomas. “Tell Dave Thomas to use a contractor that pays Standard wages and Benefits in the Boise area.”
The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters has been picketing the Harley clothing outlet in BoDo and the dealership on Chinden Boulevard for four weeks, said Peggy Myers, general sales manager.
High Desert is building a 54,000-square-foot dealership in Meridian on Interstate 84. One of the subcontractors for the project is American Wallcover, which is not a member of the union.
The union subcontractors put in a bid that was $32,000 higher than the bid High Desert chose, Myers said. “They want us to pay $32,000 to make them stop sitting on the sidewalk,” she said. “They’re basically trying to extort High Desert Harley, because we’re a big business.”
The plumbing and steel subcontractors High Desert chose are union members, she said. “But they came in at a reasonable bid.”
Max Murphy, a representative of the carpenters union, said American Wallcover came in lower because it doesn’t pay a livable wage by union standards or offer health insurance. “We don’t like to see the community and taxpayers pay for health insurance,” he said. “All this is going to do is create a race to the bottom.”
He compared the situation to buying a soccer uniform made by children chained to sewing machines.
Asked whether the flyers weren’t a bit inflammatory, he said, “I feel what he (Thomas) does is inflammatory.”
Only about 15 percent of carpentry contractors in the area are union members, Murphy said, but many other nonmembers pay the same wage and benefits as the unions.
Joseph Whelan, store manager at the BoDo outlet, said his sales have gone up since the carpenters began picketing. “They’re twice what they were last month,” he said.
“A lot of people aren’t receptive to them,” he said of the union members outside. “People have come in here who weren’t going to and bought stuff just to piss them off. It’s kind of strange. I think it’s an Idaho thing.”
Though the union members have been picketing for weeks, today was the first day they were using the Kim Jong-Il and Castro flyers, he said. He looked at one and laughed. He pointed to the picture of Thomas, who has an outstretched arm. “He looks like a Nazi,” he laughed. He said he couldn’t wait to show one to Thomas. “He’ll love it.”
The store was handing out its own flyers, which say that High Desert Harley-Davidson/Buell contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to the community through its payroll and benefits, charitable donations, taxes and by bringing in out-of-state commerce. They also state that 80 percent of the work on the new dealership is by union labor.
High Desert’s flyers state the union has no real proof of employee mismanagement at American Wallcover, and ask people to call Ron Robbins of the carpenters’ union “and tell him his tactics devalue the purpose of unions and free speech for everyone in the United States.”
25 Comments
Rather than incur the wrath of "union thugs" I'd like to remain anonymous.
The union's tactics in this matter are utterly transparent...and instructive. The comparison to "children chained to sewing machines" is hilarious...ridiculous!
Go, High Desert Harley!
Comment By Anonymous Friday, February 16, 2007 @ 12:35 PM
I find it telling that they compare a small business owner practicing free trade to notorious communist leaders. Isn't that one of the main tenets of democracy? Maybe they should look in the mirror. Bully's.
Go Mr. Thomas!!
Comment By John Thompson Friday, February 16, 2007 @ 1:56 PM
I thought we lived in America? These guys give unions a bad name.
Comment By anonymous Friday, February 16, 2007 @ 2:06 PM
I love the fact that sales have actually increased over the past couple of weeks. When the union idiots are done with their picketing shift they must go shopping.
Comment By Jarred Friday, February 16, 2007 @ 2:53 PM
Don't these union people know that local business like High Desert contribute more to the local economy than they ever will. High Desert has my support!
Comment By Don Flemming Friday, February 16, 2007 @ 4:23 PM
Its funny how these unions claim to be stewards of the community, and then attack the small local businesses that make our community great. Dave Thomas should pull out of the other 80 pecent of the union contracts. Oh wait!!?? They haven't walked off the job in support?? Wow,I guess unions don't really care what goes on as long as they have their hands in someones pocket.
Comment By Rick doyle Friday, February 16, 2007 @ 5:59 PM
I'm not pro-union but I am pro-living-wage which is something most Idahoans are not getting. Anything that brings attention to this problem is a good thing even if the tactics are absurd!
Max brought up a good point with “We don’t like to see the community and taxpayers pay for health insurance". It is a fact that a large portion of Idaho workers are getting food stamps, subsidized housing or other state aid because their employers don't pay a living wage.
Comment By Gary Flowers Saturday, February 17, 2007 @ 12:44 AM
Gary, sorry bud. But you are an idiot. Why don't the union morons stand out in front of american wallcoverings so that anyone thinking of hiring them won't? They don't because this is all about money they didn't get. This is about extortion man!! Also, Idaho has one of the strongest economies in the country, so im not sore why you think MOST of us dont make a living wage. Think next time before you spout garbage.
Comment By steve long Saturday, February 17, 2007 @ 10:43 AM
Go high desert. Never surrender, we all stand beside you!!!
Comment By Jim weaver Saturday, February 17, 2007 @ 10:47 AM
Go carpenters....maybe you will keep Idahoans working in Idaho instead of coming to work in Washington.
Comment By Rob Saturday, February 17, 2007 @ 2:52 PM
Hey rob, I'm one of the 85% of idaho carpenters who is non-union and bud, there is plenty of work here to go around. Stay out of idaho politics, you and Ron robbins, are out of state trouble makes. You are both from washington, a coincidence? Doubtful.
More power to High Desert
Comment By anonymous bill Saturday, February 17, 2007 @ 4:41 PM
Here's how ya make a "liveable" wage:
1. Develop a skill or product that people need or desire.
2. Market it, with a reasonable cost.
3. Produce.
4. Live.
Viola!
Alternatively, I suppose it could be argued that simply whining about the Constitutional Right/Entitlement to a living wage is ...um...oh...wait a minute...never mind...
Comment By Leo A. Geis Saturday, February 17, 2007 @ 5:43 PM
Idaho is truly the land of conservative so-called christians that can't understand responsibility towards others and community. This is clear by the right to starve laws and fuedalistic style of business management supported by them. Moving from Seattle has been like going back in time to the political and social dark ages! As a Union Pipe Fitter and expert in the refrigeration and building automation field I have seen first hand the lack of value, trainig and quality brought to the table by non-union (usually illeagal migrant) work. We (union members) know that we cost more to employ. So, train and teach eachother, always striving for excellence and true value in a job done correctly. 6yrs of hard work and night/day school to obtain a B.S. and a journeymans card and the non-union shop grabs a TEMP!!! I did 5yrs service in this valley and then went to Seattle and Union and found the quality of work expected to be amazing! The ownership and management involved here show no sign of American pride in quality and production just a greed so thick they can't see the end of there noses.
Comment By Erik Jensen Monday, February 19, 2007 @ 6:05 AM
Huh, my house in meridian is union built, and the damn thing is falling apart after 6 months. Let me know where to find this quality union work, i would like to see it for once. The only greed i see here is by lazy union hacks. When the new shop opens I will go see how bad this non union labor was...While im shopping.
Comment By Steve Monday, February 19, 2007 @ 8:54 AM
Now they are blaming illigal immigrants?! Seems like the only immigration problem we have here is coming from washington. "so-called christians" "dark ages" Go back to washington then if its so terrible here. I guess a social system that works and has built a great economy is the dark ages to folks from washington Boise is metropolitan area with close to the Highest level of citizens with high-education in the country. Find crime or povert here and we will compare it to washington.
Comment By Kirsten Bailey Monday, February 19, 2007 @ 10:33 AM
By the way, the only greed and corruption i see here is by the union. I guess thats the way its always been though, hey, have you people found hoffa yet?
Comment By Kirsten Bailey Monday, February 19, 2007 @ 10:40 AM
what alot of people dont understand is High Desert Harley-Davidson is not a big company.. Mr Thomas has maybe 60 employees the union workers that are standing outside wasting time handing out flyers really are not doing anything for the union other than making them look bad they are nothing but elementry school bullies i support Dave Thomas and all of the High Desert Harley-Davidson, Birds of Prey and the Bodo employees 100% dont pay them 32,000 dollars to stand in front of your store and scratch there ass!!! GET A REAL JOB!!!
Comment By JOSH Monday, February 19, 2007 @ 7:55 PM
the carpenters union is acting like a bunch of children yelling you didnt pick me! please get a life
Comment By tim reiley Monday, February 19, 2007 @ 9:19 PM
I wonder if the Union is paying the slackers a "livable wage" to walk in circles.
Comment By Jarred Tuesday, February 20, 2007 @ 9:04 AM
I agree with the commenter who said that the picketers should be picketing the company who supposedly does sub-standard non-union work! Isn't this the real source of the problem?
Also, since when has it EVER made sense to have BUSINESSES pay for health care? Yes, it is the status quo, but TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. It's ABSURD. It is misplaced responsibility! It may not rest on the taxpayers, but like utilities, it should at least be REGULATED since it is as essential as electricity. Maybe moreso! DUH!
Comment By Mary Wednesday, February 21, 2007 @ 9:27 AM
Welcome to America, where truly hard working citizens always succeed in life. Nowhere else in the world do people have so many opportunities to make it. I for one did not complete my college education, but worked very hard to achieve my personal goals and can now support my family on a very comfortable wage.
Dave Thomas has built a successful business by consistently working very hard, every day, and employing other hard-working individuals to help make his business one of the best in Boise. It always makes me laugh when lazy, unmotivated losers cry about how someone didn’t hand them the American dream.
In the words of the great philosopher Homer Simpson, “D’oh!”. It’s not that hard to figure out, folks. Here’s my fool-proof plan for success:
1. Stop complaining about everything you don’t like about the world
2. Stop spending what little money you have on stupid things you can’t afford, like big TV’s, beer and cigarettes, lottery tickets, cars that make you look rich, etc.
3. Decide what career you might like to pursue and investigate how to get there
4. Work every day toward your goal
The problem is, most of you picketing whiner-types will stop along the way for instant gratification to sooth your insecurities and you will never achieve true success in life. I hope you understand that those of us who do work hard see right through your complains. We know the truth, that you are too lazy to do what it takes to succeed in the greatest nation the world has ever seen. Sad.
Kudos to Dave Thomas for keeping a good attitude through all this. I’ve never been a big Harley Davidson fan, never thought I’d buy one…until now.
Comment By ERW Wednesday, February 21, 2007 @ 11:46 AM
This is absurd! My husband works for American Wallcover and has for years. He has had offers to work elsewhere, but CHOOSES to stay. They treat their employees very well, the BEST in the industry locally. He's worked elsewhere and knows what else is out there. They are family-owned and have lived in IDAHO their entire lives constantly giving to the community - where are the slackers picketing from -Washington or California? Their employees are an extension of their family - they have BBQs, holiday parties, and annual celebrations ... and every time giving out very nice gifts to every employee - new tools, tv's, gift certificates to other LOCAL business, etc! They offer very competitive wages, if not higher than the so-called "standard" the union refers to.
And what really upsets me about all of this is that it is 100% SLANDER! My husband has never been laid off, even when the jobs were slow - they find work to allow him to support his family; he has a retirement IRA from American Wallcover; a FREE cell/walkie talkies with all the bells & whistles; he gets vacation and holiday pay; AND he does have health insurance THROUGH AMERICAN WALLCOVER, which is extended to his family - I know because our family has used it many times! With the births of our children, we had very minimal out of pocket expenses because of their policy coverage!
Idaho Carpenter's Union - SHAME ON YOU! You are slandering a very honest, hard-working Idaho-native company that truly values and cares for their employees! The bigger shame is that you haven't been sued for slandering their good name ... what proof do you have of your allegations? NONE! You're upset because you lost money on a bid. The money was lost because those estimators aren't good at THEIR jobs - is that the type of "quality" that comes from joining your union?
The only thing you're doing is making yourselves look childish & unethical, and are alienating anyone in the industry that MAY have ever considered joining. I know we, as a family, will not, and will support every company that doesn't join!
Comment By my husband works for AMERICAN WALLCOVER! Friday, February 23, 2007 @ 1:13 PM
Ha Ha!!! Well, said! Try arguing with that, Carpenter's Union!
It's great to hear from the family of a so-called underpaid non-union worker. I bet her husband is worth twice what those picketing slackers are worth, regardless of what he's paid. And unlike them, he earns every penny doing one honest day's work at a time. Let's all support these guys if you have projects coming up. Keep up the good work!
Comment By ERW Friday, February 23, 2007 @ 10:18 PM
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his SALARY depends upon his NOT understanding it."
Upton Sinclair.
Comment By Wordsmith Saturday, February 24, 2007 @ 7:51 PM
Unions are no better than organized crime. They extort money and threaten anybody who doesn't agree to pay their "protection" dues. That's why they hate it so much that Idaho is a Right to Work state. They would rather FORCE everybody to join their club than allow people to have a choice. Tell, which idea is more Marxist???
Comment By Supporting American Wallcoverings Wednesday, February 28, 2007 @ 9:31 AM
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