February 10, 2015
The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority has secured a temporary restraining order against the carpenters union while alleging vandalism at the Philadelphia Auto Show on Saturday.
The Philadelphia Business Journal reported that a judge approved the temporary restraining order against the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters on the same day that the alleged acts of vandalism and disruptive behavior occurred.
The restraining order is in effect until Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 11:59 p.m.
An unfair labor complaint filed by the Carpenters Local 8 and Teamsters Local 107 against the PCCA was dismissed on Feb. 2. The two unions have been unable to work at the Convention Center since May 2014, after failing to agree to new work rules by a disputed deadline.
John McNichol, president and CEO of the convention center, told CBS Philly that several dozen carpenters stood outside the Convention Center at Saturday's Auto Show, removing fuses and disconnecting wires under the hoods of several cars they were pamphleting.
"Based upon information uncovered in our investigation to date, we believe the Carpenters union leadership directed its members to engage in an organized effort to disrupt the Philadelphia Auto Show, demonstrating a reckless indifference to our customers, the region's hospitality industry and taxpayers," McNichol said in a statement.
McNichol said the PCCA may pursue potential civil and criminal charges.
But union officials said they were within their right.
"The Carpenters union exerted their First Amendment right to peacefully protest their unfair lockout from the Pennsylvania Convention Center this past Saturday," said spokesman Marty O'Rourke. "Over 200 union carpenters paid to enter the Convention Center and peacefully distributed over 20,000 flyers to people attending the Auto Show."
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