SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y., Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Locked-out workers from Sotheby's Manhattan showroom distributed leaflets at the "Squash in the Hamptons" tournament today to inform spectators and competitors that "Sotheby's Squashes New Yorkers."
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO )
"Hamptons residents, many of whom are familiar with Sotheby's auction house, need to know the truth about this company and see through the facade," said Jason Ide, President of Teamsters Local 814, which represents the 43 locked-out workers. "Sotheby's, the largest auction house in the world, locked out its employees without cause after the most profitable year in the history of the company."
"It is shameful that Sotheby's treats its employees like this," said George Miranda, Teamsters International Vice President and President of Teamsters Joint Council 16 in New York. "We want our neighbors to know that these Sotheby's workers, experienced and dedicated art handlers who are responsible for protecting priceless works of art, have been treated unjustly."
When Sotheby's experienced its most profitable quarter in its 267-year history, it rewarded its top management royally. In fact, Sotheby's CEO Bill Ruprecht's salary almost doubled in 2010 to $6 million. Bargaining reconvened yesterday after the July 31st lockout, with little movement from the company to settle the contract.
"Sotheby's is responsible for its employees and their communities, as well as its customers," said Julian Tysch, a locked-out Sotheby's art handler. "Sotheby's should be ashamed of how it claims to be generous on the one hand, while it treats us like second-class citizens on the other."
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada. Visit www.teamster.org for more information.
SOURCE Teamsters Local 814, New York
