005-2007 Miami Beach Convention Center Informational Picketing
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MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
No. 005-2007
FROM:
Matti H. Bower, Commissioner
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager \ ~
May 11 , 2007 ()
TO:
DATE:
SUBJECT: Miami Beach Convention Center Informational Picketing
On May 8-1 0, 2007, the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) hosted the SPESA Show and
Material World, two co-located tradeshows for the sewn products and apparel industry. Move-in
for SPESA began on May 1, with Material World beginning its move-in on May 4; both shows are
expected to be moved out by Sunday, May 13, 2007.
SPESA (Sewn Products Equipment Suppliers Association) exhibits machinery used in the
fabrication of garments and other fabrics and materials products, and occurs once every three
years, with its home in Miami Beach since 2001. It is produced by SPESA, headquartered in
Raleigh, North Carolina. Material World is an annual show produced here in Miami Beach since
2002 by Urban Expositions out of Atlanta, and exhibits the raw fabrics and materials used in the
garment and upholstery industries. Urban Expositions also produces our two annual gift shows,
in January and August.
As is industry standard, the show organizer selects a decorator, or general contractor, to handle
the set up duties of a show, including pipe and drape, registration, signage, freight movement,
and other set up duties directly related to that show. All decorators working in the MBCC are
required to be on an approved list, having demonstrated to SMG its business license and proof
of insurance in order to work in the building. The decorator is then responsible for procuring the
labor to perform their required functions. It is our policy, due to the fact that we are not directly in
contract with the decorator, that the decorator has the right to select its labor force for each
event.
Most of the approximately 200 shows/events occurring in the MBCC use decorators that have a
contract with the Sign Display and Allied Trades Union Local 1175 for the provision of labor.
Local 1175 is affiliated with District Council 78 of the Painters union. However, the decorator
selected by SPESA and Material World, RPM Complete Expo (based in Orlando), has chosen to
subcontract its work, and thus labor, to a company called Quickest Set Services out of Atlanta,
which uses a non-union labor force. These four shows (SPESA, Material World and the two
annual gift shows) are the only annual shows at MBCC that do not contract with Local 1175
As you may be aware, Local 1175 set up informational pickets alleging that Quickest Set
Services provides substandard wages and benefits to its workers. The City and SMG are not
aware of the wages and benefits paid to Quickest Set Services employees. As noted above,
neither SMG nor the City is a direct party to these agreements. ~ ~
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We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work, and play in our vibrant, tropical, ~ric dnunity.
SMG has worked diligently with the show organizers, RPM Complete Expo, the Miami Beach
Police Department, the City of Miami Beach Attorney's Office, and Local 1175 to insure that all
parties have been able to accomplish their goals while the informational picketing occurs. Thus
far, the informational picketing has produced no incidents or confrontations for attendees,
exhibitors, or workers. We expect the picketing to continue until load out on Sunday.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
c:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
Hilda M. Fernandez, Assistant City Manager
Max Sklar, Tourism and Cultural Development Director
Doug Tober, General Manager, Miami Beach Convention Center
JMG/HMF/MAS/dt
W:\Tourism and Cultural Development\Tourism\Convention Center\SPESA Picketing.doc
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work, and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community.