The Third Day of the DMS strike has ended, with manager Terry Hird demanding that all messengers participating turn in their radios.
Negotiations started at 3 pm today with messengers seeking common ground. Hird and DMS exec Patrick Gallagher took an antagonistic stance , refusing to even consider any of the demands, citing legal roadblocks.
After three afternoon meetings with the messengers where management refused to budge one inch, Hird demanded that all striking messengers give up their radios. Hird stated that when the messengers decided to come back to work, they would get the radios back.
What this really means is that protesting workers are being locked out-meanwhile messengers from Western Messenger, Lightning Express, NO BS, and other companies are scabbing DMS tags. DMS today interviewed and hired replacement workers to pick up and run tags from the downtown clients. Monday many more replacement workers will be hired, and slowly the work will get covered.
Managers admitted today that they read messages posted on this board and other boards regarding plans for a solidarity strike. (Hi Patrick!) Any logistical plans for other job actions should be posted person to person.
We need everyone’s help in putting pressure on SF DMS management to negotiate in good faith with concerned and dedicated workers. Meanwhile SFDMS workers look forward to being the Third messenger company to vote to affiliate with the ILWU.
