The New York State Fair has responded to a threat from labor unions to boycott the state fair if its leaders did not start talking about changes in employment there by today. Dennis Nave, president of the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, said he had a conversation with State Fair Director Dan O'Hara on Wednesday. He said he does not...
View full sizeState Fair Director Dan O'HaraThe New York State Fair has responded to a threat from labor unions to boycott the state fair if its leaders did not start talking about changes in employment there by today.
Dennis Nave, president of the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, said he had a conversation with State Fair Director Dan O'Hara on Wednesday. He said he does not know how the issues will be resolved, but at least they are talking.
The Labor Council voted earlier this month to drop its annual Labor Day parade and encourage people to boycott the state fair if O’Hara did not meet with labor leaders to talk about issues with three different unions.
Last year, the state dissolved a public authority that managed the employees and O’Hara is trying to transition employees to the payroll of the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. As a result, the fair is no longer honoring 40-year-old union contracts with the defunct authority.
That means people who have worked as ushers, ticket-takers, electricians, and other temporary jobs have not been hired so far this year, and about 20 year-round staff have been fired without explanation.
The Labor Council will likely discuss its next step at a meeting next week.