The author of the previous story [1], Amy Langfield, writes
Thanks for the link to my story about the new ferry service at Statue of Liberty. Though I'm curious as to why you're advocating a boycott of them. Is it because they're non-union?
Many thanks,
Amy
George S., a longtime bay area IBU member and maritime worker responds:
Yes. They took over the Alcatraz ferry contracts using non union labor. They won the contract making promises they couldn't possible keep.
They promised a Solar/Sail powered ferry by 2008! Not happening.
They were supposed to build a gateway destination--not happening.
They were forced to pay their non-union employees prevailing wages--their health benefits and retirement are lacking.
The previous company that had the Alcatraz contract (Blue and Gold) asked the National Park service if they could raise the rates to take passengers to Alcatraz. They were always turned down by the NPS because they would be gouging the public. As soon as Hornblower was granted the contract they were able to raise their rates substantially (something rotten here).
They were granted a ten year contract--Blue and Gold never was able to get a contract for that long.
They claimed Blue and Gold boats were gross polluters and the Hornblower boats burned a lot cleaner. They bought two of the Blue and Gold boats after they lost the contract painted them and now have two more boats in there scab fleet (so called gross polluters). Their boats use conventional diesel engines--just like the Blue and Gold fleet had??
This trend of the U.S. government bending over backwards to reduce Union jobs has to stop.
Yes I recommend to everyone to boycott Hornblower.
We couldn't have said it better ourselves. Hear, hear!
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