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August 11, 2005
Coming Soon To a High-Rise Near You
For those of you who who don't follow the news in other states, there has been a battle going on in South Florida between the Service Employee International Union (SEIU) and The Continental Group, a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation. SEIU is trying to organize the service employees at Continental's condos. So far, Continental is taking all the shots to the head. SEIU has created its own web site, just for this effort, called CleanCondos which takes direct aim at Continental and in the latest PR blitz, has created another web site with a high tech Flash music video, called Screw this Condo.
I really don't know whether Continental has serious internal problems or whether they just can't get their side out, but I do know that the SEIU broke off from the AFL-CIO because they wanted to be more agressive in organizing. What this means is that if you have concentrations of hi-rise condos in your market, you can probably bet that they are scouting out your situation as you are reading this. This is an growing, untapped market that they are not going to pass by. That's the reason for the full-court press in Florida, a win there will make it all that much easier in other markets.
If you manage hi-rises, I would suggest you start brushing up on labor law and locate a good local attorney to advise you when the time comes. Remember, like everything else related to condos, what starts in Florida soon migrates to other states when the snow-birds return home.
Since the original posting of this note, another web site has been added to the battle. Created by SEIU "FirstService Mismanagement" targets the subsidary management companies.
Posted by joewest at August 11, 2005 10:43 AM