This all occurred when attending a tradeshow in Atlanta, GA? WOW. I ran into something similar onetime (years ago though) and I used the 'I'm an American and I already fought for THIS union thank you.'

That experience is really outrageous. In your case, there were many palms that had to be greased I'm sure and that is probably why the expensive costs involved in any union labor. Too bad the labor force doesn't get the $, then it might at least have been considered...oh probably not. Union costs will drive a businessman out of business afterall!

Tracy

>Tom
>
>We attended a Trade Show in Atlanta earlier this year. boy did we learn about US Unions.
>
>First, when we turned down the "we'll help you unload/load your truck" service, our rental vehicle received a mysterious dent from a forklift.
>
>We were given the stand right beside the Union Office, though it was identified only by a large Number whose meaning escaped us. We began assembling our own stand and laying carpet because we judged that $4,000 for a small square of cheap carpet for 3 days was a bit steep. The Union people were amazed that we would do this right in front of them. We discovered later that there are Union rules and if you do the smallest thing yourself, even plugging in an extension cord, you risk being picketed.
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>The only reason we got away with it was because of the strong Antipodean accents of the staff who, not satisfied with assembling the stand, also helped themselves to the water from the Union stand and asked to borrow masking tape. Finally one of the head nasties turned up and confronted one of our staff asking for the architect- apparently you need an architect to assemble your own stand. Our chap whipped out his card saying "System Architect" (well done!) whereupon the nasty asked one of the staff trying not to drop a projector attached to a pole "don't ya know what the Union is". Our chap answered in all innocence "Of course, and I know Atlanta was an important city in those days as well, but can you help me with this?" which sufficiently confused the rep that he retreated.
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>For the Chicago show we were warned to expect $50 for an electrician to plug in our cords, and big $ to have just about anything done.
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>Seems crazy- we had 5 strapping staff to assemble things, why should we have to pay major $$$ on top?
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>Regards
>
>JR