Lifeguards approved to choose union representation

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-05-14/news/lifeguards-approved-to-choose-union-representation

More than 70 percent of lifeguards signed a petition to secede from the Municipal Employees Assocaition.

By Alyssa Ramos, La Jolla Village News
Thursday, May 14, 2009

San Diego City Lifeguard Sgt. Ed Harris and fellow lifeguards began petitioning last April to leave the group’s union and join 911 Teamsters of San Diego. Despite the mayor’s rejection of the lifeguards’ election plan, San Diego City Council members voted 5-3 Tuesday, May 12 to approve the choice.

“The council has voted to allow the lifeguards to choose who their representatives should be,” Harris said. “In 60 to 90 days, there will be a vote we hope will be run by the state.”

According to Harris, more than 70 percent of lifeguards signed the petition, which asked the mayor’s office to hold an election for the group to secede from the Municipal Employees Association (MEA) and join the 911 Teamsters. Lifeguards would form a branch of the 911 Teamsters in San Diego.

“We want to be part of the nationally recognized Teamsters 911,” Harris said. “We’re following the city’s process… but it’s not up to the city to put us into a union.

“The lifeguards signed a petition to choose. We’re asking for the state to come in and run an election - not the MEA or 911 but a ballot that lifeguards would vote on.”

Lifeguards will choose the MEA, the Teamsters or no representation, Harris said.

FULL story at link.

[imdjh]

1. They had better hope that the city council never visits Florida

No lifeguards here. That's $70,000/yr for a "top life guard" compared to zip.