The fire's still burning after industry representatives, including the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), the Society of Independent Show Organizers, the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, GES Exposition Services and Freeman, met last Thursday with Team San Jose to discuss concerns about the San Jose Convention Center's new labor policy, which became effective Aug. 1. As a result of the meeting, Team San Jose agreed to adjust the policy by extending its $58.85 base flat rate indefinitely, but, according to IAEE, further concerns weren't addressed.

IAEE claims the new policy violates the three largest general services contractors' existing collective bargaining agreements with Teamsters Local 85, is significantly more expensive than the previous policy and exposes organizers, exhibitors and contractors to liability claims for injuries sustained by Teamsters Local 287. “Our industry has been struggling to meet the unprecedented challenges of a severely impaired economy coupled with dramatic attendance reductions and corporate travel restrictions,” says IAEE President Steven Hacker, CAE. “The unexpected action of the San Jose Convention Center that imposes a new labor agreement that ignores existing binding labor agreements and does so with no prior consultation nor any forewarning is, in my opinion, a grossly unfair and irresponsible act that cannot and will not be condoned.”

According to Team San Jose, the new local Teamsters contract supersedes any other agreements in place, increases training and enhances customer service, offers more flexibility with a shorter minimum labor time, multiple start times and a flat rate for any type of labor, which it claims is lower than rates from other labor groups in the Bay area. Team San Jose says the policy also insures all employees working at the convention center, which transfers responsibility from contractors to Team San Jose. “This policy creates more flexibility for our clients and delivers labor at a very cost-effective price with better service,” says Dan Fenton, President and CEO of the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau and Chairman of Team San Jose.