Dear Christa, 

We formally request that the prior vote and implementation surrounding the runner seniority exception for Suite Attendants at Target Field be reviewed and declared invalid due to the inequitable and harmful impact it has had on portions of the membership, as well as concerns regarding how the practice was originally implemented.

While we do not believe the Union’s intent was to discriminate against members, we believe the practical effect of the runner seniority system has resulted in unequal treatment and disproportionate harm to certain employees within the bargaining unit. 

Under the Duty of Fair Representation doctrine, the Union has an obligation to fairly and consistently represent the interests of the entire membership without arbitrary treatment, discrimination, favoritism, or unequal enforcement of negotiated rights. 

There are serious concerns that certain employees were receiving Suite Attendant seniority credit through runner assignments long before any formal vote, disclosed approval process, or membership-wide discussions have occurred. It is believed these arrangements originated through agreements made with former manager Kendall without the knowledge or participation of the full membership. 

At the time these arrangements allegedly began, the practice appeared to have conflicted with the existing contractual seniority structure and effectively created an alternate pathway for certain employees to accumulate attendant seniority outside the negotiated process. 

Because these employees were allowed to accumulate seniority credit before any formal vote or disclosed approval process existed, many employees believe the seniority structure itself became fundamentally tainted and inequitable from that point forward. 

As a result, lower-seniority employees were able to bypass employees with greater established seniority for: 

* Attendant shifts, 

* Preferred suite assignments, 

* Premium opportunities, 

* Scheduling priority, 

* And overall earnings opportunities. 

Additionally, the runner seniority exception was allegedly justified as a temporary solution staffing shortages within the runner classification. However, those shortages have not existed for years, yet the exception continues impacting seniority standings and assignment opportunities long after the stated operational need ceased to exist. 

Further concerns exist because many bargaining unit members were never meaningfully included in the process. Seniority systems affect the entire bargaining unit, not only those directly working within a particular classification at a given moment. Any change to seniority accrual or assignment rights has the potential to impact: 

* Future opportunities, 

* Bidding rights, 

* Earnings, 

* Advancement, 

* Scheduling, 

* And overall bargaining unit expectations. 

For that reason, the entire membership should have been transparently informed and meaningfully included in any vote or bargaining process concerning modifications to seniority accrual rules. 

Instead, many employees believe the process created confusion and gave the impression that seniority could be modified or accumulated through informal arrangements, side agreements, or exceptions outside the normal contractual process.

Additionally, the practical impact of this system disproportionately harmed some older employees and employees with physical limitations who were not realistically able to perform runner work to preserve or advance their seniority standing.

Some employees suffered from significant knee problems and medical limitations, including conditions ultimately requiring knee replacement surgery. 

Those employees were effectively placed in a position where they could not reasonably compete for runner shifts in the same manner as younger or more physically capable employees, causing them to steadily lose seniority standing and earnings opportunities over time. 

In at least one case, one member believes the cumulative financial impact from lost Seniority opportunities and related assignment losses have exceeded $100,000 over the years. 

Because the original implementation appears to have violated contractual seniority structure at the time and because employees were allegedly allowed to accumulate prior to any valid vote or disclosed agreement, we respectfully request that: 

* The prior vote and implementation be declared invalid, 

* Seniority standings be immediately restored to their pre-vote status, 

* The Union investigates how and when seniority credit was originally granted through runner assignments, 

* Affected employees receive appropriate seniority standing.  While some are entitled to make whole relief, they are willing to settle for seniority standings to be corrected retroactively. 

* And any future modifications to seniority systems be handled transparently and with meaningful participation from the entire membership. 

Additionally, several employees and volunteers are ready, willing, and able to assist free of charge in the process of reviewing records and recalculating seniority standings to help ensure the process is completed fairly, accurately, and transparently for all affected members. 

We believe this issue has caused substantial financial harm, division, mistrust, and long-term inequity within the bargaining unit and deserves a full and fair review moving forward. Solidarity will never be achieved if this situation isn’t rectified.

Sincerely, 

Concerned Members of Unite Here Local 17