Peninsula Humane Society Teamsters Reject Management Contract That Would Silence Future Whistleblowers

SAN BRUNO, Calif., Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Shortly after whistleblowers at the Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) went public with concerns about animal welfare, PHS management proposed a new contract that would let management deny a cost-of-living increase to any individual without appeal, in the guise of what they claim is "merit-based pay." After making the proposal, PHS management violated confidential mediation rules and labor laws in an attempt to influence the Union's vote to pass the contract. This effort overwhelmingly failed, with 90% voter participation and a 3 to 1 vote against it. In addition, Union members have authorized a strike.

"Our members have the responsibility to speak up for animals in their care and we will use all the resources of our Local Union to protect them from retaliation," said Peter Finn, Teamsters 856 Principal Officer.

On Tuesday, February 14, employees will be appealing to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to intervene to avoid a strike. San Mateo County provides $6 million out of PHS's $12 million annual revenue for animal control services. The contract with the County provides PHS with 3% annual increases and employees are merely seeking the same cost of living increase: 3%.

Supporting Documentation:

View Unfair Labor Practice Charges filed against the Peninsula Humane Society here. https://phswhistleblowercom.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/phs_ulps.pdf

View the Peninsula Humane Society's 2014 990 here. https://phswhistleblowercom.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/2015_990s.pdf

Founded in 1949, Teamsters Local 856 represents more than 10,000 hardworking members in the San Francisco Bay Area, North Bay, Sacramento, and Central Valley communities.

Contact: Tim Jenkins, (415) 275-0528, [email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 856