Hampton Manor (18 page)

“What reasons could Adam possibly have to make trouble for you?”

“Are you serious? Hell, you were married to the man. You know what he’s like. That man doesn’t need much incentive to make trouble for someone. It could be something as simple as you and I getting married, or maybe he’s still brooding over that tape. Who knows with him? Actually, I really don’t care. I’ve got something more important to discuss with you.” Daniel looked pensive as he gestured for Lauren to sit down next to him.
 

“Since all this started, we haven’t had much chance to discuss our future plans, but I’ve been giving a lot of thought to selling the teams and moving away from Old Brooking for good. When I was speaking to the Owner’s Associations I asked if there were any investors inquiring about purchasing franchises. Apparently, even though the economy is in the trash heap, there is still money out there looking for a good home.

They know of three investors interested in buying sports teams on the condition that the teams would move to New Haven, Bristol or other medium-to-large cities within the league’s province; someplace where the fan base would be better and where unions would not be a problem. The Association looks favorably on this, so why not?”

Lauren pondered Daniel’s words for a few minutes before she spoke, “I don’t want you to give up the teams. They’re like children to you. They’re your life blood.”

“I know what you’re saying, Lauren. The thought of giving them up really saddens me, but I don’t think we can go on like this.”

“Whatever you decide will be okay with me,. You know that. I just want to see you involved in something that you love doing, without this stress all the time.”

“I knew you would say that. Unfortunately the environment for entrepreneurs has changed over the last few years. Only some of this can be blamed on unions. Their membership numbers are dwindling due to companies moving their production overseas so while unions still target a few big employers like Wal-Mart, mostly they seem to be concentrating on small and medium sized businesses, like mine. I wouldn’t even be thinking about getting out if it wasn’t for the union. They came with the deal when I first bought the teams. I was too new to understand all the ramifications.”

“Since then we’ve had two negotiations and both times I’ve had to surrender more of my rights, just to get them back to work. Philosophically, I’m sympathetic to the basic tenets of collective bargaining and unions, but I’m also a realist when it comes to the practices of today’s union organizations. Once sweetheart contracts became a part of the collective bargaining process, there was no turning back. It’s just too easy to give in and pass the higher costs on to the consumer. This has finally caught up with them and now non-union companies, here and abroad, are eating their lunch.”

“I’ve never really thought about unions and I had no idea you felt so strongly.”

“Most people believe that the labor movement’s basic purpose is to benefit workers by assuring that they have proper working conditions, are paid a living wage proportionate to the output of their labor, are guaranteed employment during the contract period and are protected against unfair labor practice by their employers. That’s true for the most part, but I’ve also observed that unions don’t always protect the rights of their members. For instance, it’s very common for union funds to be used to sponsor lobbyists, support politicians and engage in other activities that aren’t relevant to their organizing objective. Sometimes these activities are contrary to the wishes of the rank and file. My main beef with them is that they protect less productive workers often at the expense of highly productive ones.

“Another issue I have is that collective bargaining is not just about money or working conditions. In addition to wages, health insurance, pension benefits, dues check-off, vacations and holidays are commonly brought to the bargaining table. Any of these can be repressive to a small business. In multiples, they can be devastating.”

Daniel reached over and took Lauren’s hand. “I just don’t want to run a business in that kind of environment any longer. If I knew when I bought the franchises, what I would be going through today, I would never have purchased them.”

“You know, what I don’t understand is why workers join a union if the company they work for provides most of the benefits you just mentioned?”

“That’s a good question. There are a good many companies today that are wondering exactly that. They operate for years thinking that they are doing good by their employees, when all of a sudden, out of the blue, they are blindsided by a union led by overzealous organizers who make grandiose promises to the employees to convince them to vote the union in. Often it just takes some layoffs to trigger interest in the rank and file.”

“Some companies attempt to bribe their workers into rejecting the union, by offering them new benefits, but it often backfires when the union uses it to point out that if it wasn’t for them, the company wouldn’t be implementing the changes in the first place. Also, once a union gets a foothold, it’s very difficult to de-certify them.”

“I thought that the rank and file vote for their leadership? Why wouldn’t they vote out the bad guys if they weren’t happy with the deal they’re getting or suspect that the union leaders were padding their own pockets with sweetheart deals?”

“Once union leadership takes power, they are in a strong position to hang on to their jobs. As in most positions of leadership subject to voters approval, the incumbent usually has the advantage of being able to make strategic moves to sabotage their competition. It’s not uncommon for unpopular union leaders to retain their leadership for decades. Challengers usually don’t stick around too long. It’s less prevalent today, but there was a time, not so long ago, when violence was used to eliminate any complainers. It’s a lot safer to knuckle under than resist. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not implying that that’s true of all unions or even that that’s what I’m dealing with at Local 33. Actually, when he’s away from the union office, Gil is a churchgoer, very active in community affairs and fun to just sit down and have a beer with on a Friday night, but when it comes to collective bargaining he puts his union’s agenda before all else.”

Lauren took a deep breath and waited a few minutes before she spoke again.
 

“I can tell by the way you’re talking that you are very close to making a decision, but even if you wanted to move the teams right now, how can you do it when you’re in the middle of negotiations? Aren’t there some rules against doing that?”

“This is a totally different issue. The union contract is tied to the operation of the stadiums, not the sports teams.”

“Then why are you thinking about selling the teams? Why not just move them into a non-union market and continue to operate them? If, as you say, there are investors out there willing to buy your Franchises, it would make just as much sense for you to move them for yourself and take advantage of a friendly growth market.”

“I haven’t thought that part through, yet, but that makes sense. I just found out an hour ago that the leagues were amenable to the teams moving. I can see where they are coming from. The fees paid to the Leagues are partially based on franchise revenue. If I move to New Haven or Bristol, where there is a greater fan base, they will get a nice bump in income. It would be great opportunity for all of us.”
 

Excitement returned to his voice. “Lauren, you know, you’re absolutely right. Why should I sell out, when I can just change location? That’s exactly what we’ll do. How would you feel about relocating?”

“What time do the moving trucks get here?”

Daniel laughed. “I should have known that you wouldn’t have a problem leaving this town.”

“What would happen with the two stadiums, then?”

He grinned as he answered, “The new owners, most likely, would take the name ‘McKnight’ off the signs. I think that’s a given.”

“Don’t be a smartass. I’m serious, what would happen?”

“If I pulled the teams out and put the stadiums on the market, Gil would probably make a sweetheart deal with the new owners to assure that the stadiums weren’t empty for too long. That would make the stadiums even that much more attractive. Then the cycle will start all over again. In the long run the new owners and stadium employees will get screwed once again. It’s an unfortunate scenario, but until we make some major changes in this country, it is the way things will continue to happen.

“I’ve got another plan that I need to discuss with my CPA. I’ll let you know how that works out. In the meantime, you should start thinking seriously about packing.
 

“Daniel, you sure know how to sweet talk a girl.”

“At your service, ma’am.”

An hour later Daniel slammed the phone down and turned to Lauren.“That was the police. They vandalized the stadium and the arena last night.”

“Who did?”

“Who else? It had to be those union thugs.”

“What did they do?”

“They shorted out the power grid and ripped the scoreboard to pieces at the stadium. They disabled the Zamboni at the ice arena.

“That doesn’t sound like the work of any of your employees. They would be hurting themselves by doing that much damage. Even though we’re having differences at the moment, some of them are like family. I’m even thinking that Gil Parsons would have more to lose than to gain by involving Local 33 in something this destructive. It’s too much of a risk.”

“You do agree then, that this was no random act of vandalism. I’ll bet it was in retaliation for the schedule change.”

“It’s too coincidental that both the stadium and the arena were hit. They’re a good ten miles apart. Did the police have any other reports of damage near either of the locations?”

“From what they know so far only our property was involved. Thank goodness we’re covered with our Property Insurance”

“It’s obvious that this vandalism was personal. It’s either an act of revenge or a warning; maybe both. I know we can’t prove either, but you and I know that Adam is behind this..The question is, what can we do about it?”

“Not we, Lauren, just me. I don’t want that man directing any more of his vindictiveness toward you. You two have a rough enough history as it is.”

“What are you talking about, Daniel. When I said the vandalism was personal, I meant that it was aimed at the two of us. We’re in this together. A lot of what’s bothering him happened between Adam and me well before you came on the scene. He hates that we’re together. He hates that we live in the same town. We are his target, not just you.”

“I still don’t want you to be involved.”

“I took on Adam Hampton before and won. I’m ready for round two. This nonsense has to stop. We’re going to have to fight him together. I’m not backing down on this. Do you know what you‘re going to do?”

“Yes, I’ve made up my mind. First, I’m going to announce that I’m moving the teams out of town. Then I’m going to make the town of Old Brooking a gift of the stadium and the arena. That should prevent any further vandalism. I’ll get a nice tax write-off, the town will get a new source of revenue. Local 33 may be replaced by municipal workers, but that’s Gil’s problem.”

“Does that mean that we can move soon?

“As soon as I iron out all the details, but it won’t be long.”

“I’m amazed at how quickly things are happening.”

“Well, actually I’m making decisions on the fly. I got a call from the hockey league business office about an hour ago. It seems that the town of Westfield, Massachusetts is ready to open a new hockey arena. They would welcome the Blizzards and can accommodate our schedule starting in two weeks. Think of it, Lauren, a brand new stadium and no responsibility for operating it.”

“What kind of a town is Westfield? I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s a quaint town with a population of about forty-five thousand. Its history dates back to the sixteen hundreds. There’s plenty of housing available according to the real estate listings and it’s over sixty five miles from here. Do you need any more?”

“It sounds too good to be true. Will the change in location interfere with the travel schedules of the other teams?”

“Actually, since they all travel by bus, many of the teams will be closer. As for our own team the players expect to move around. It’s common when you play sports.”

“I think we should do it. We’re never going to get another offer that good. What’s happening with the football and baseball leagues?”

“I talked to both right after I heard about Westfield. They’re sympathetic to our plight. When I told them about the vandalism, they both said that, under the circumstances, they would not allow any future games to be played in the stadium as long as the situation remains unresolved.”

“I guess I don’t blame them. They have to consider the safety of all the players, officials and the fans.”

“Are they amenable to you moving the teams?”

“Yes for football, no for baseball.”

“The hockey league office gave me a number to contact to explore opportunities for semi-pro football teams in the Westfield metro area. They feel the prospects are good. I have Judy looking into moving the Wildcats to a stadium up that way. In the meantime, the league agreed to re-schedule the last three games as away games, so for all intents and purposes the Wildcats and the Blizzards are taken care of for this season. As for the Indians, I think it’s time to either sell the team or just shut it down. The season is still a few months off, so I have time to decide which it will be. The team’s not a money maker and attendance sucks so I won’t have any regrets either way. Without them, I’ll land up with time on my hands. Maybe I’ll start a girl’s volleyball team. They usually have a big fan base.”