It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that Touchstone Climbing moved forward with their TCS Competition at two Union gyms despite the Route Setters Strike. The use of labor to carry out striking employees’ work is known in labor circles as Strike Breakers, and even more harshly, Scabs. This labor can come from existing employees or replacement workers. Touchstone has made the fatal error of assuming that using existing employees to break the strike is not as egregious as hiring replacement workers. They allowed their Head Route Setter, Sean Nanos, crew leads, and even TS Workers United members to cross the picket line and set a Competition that typically requires “All Hands on Deck” of their 15 striking crew members. This should be the final straw for all Union Members, Labor Advocates, and Social Justice Organizers.
We are asking all Union Members to inform their Unions of this treasonous act. We are contacting labor coalitions and unions in all counties that Touchstone has gyms to ask them to join our boycott and support Touchstone Workers United as they strike and move towards a fair labor contract.
Unfortunately, for many of us, this is the point where we have to draw a line and say regardless of the outcome of Southern California, we will not return to Touchstone until they are a fully unionized entity. We cannot be patrons of a company that employs such vile tactics to undermine their labor and we see similar tactics implemented to stop the spread of unionizing to their other gyms. It is at this jumping off point that we have come to see employees, members, and groups that align themselves with this company as part of the problem. I’ve been an active part of this community since 2008 and in this moment I am full of shame and regret for all the years I gave to this company and all the ways I stood up and advocated for them. Never again until justice is served for all workers and all members of the community.
Email the ones responsible for the Strike Break:
Touchstone CEO: mmelvin@touchstoneclimbing.com
Touchstone Director of Route Setting: justin@touchstoneclimbing.com
Touchstone So Cal Head Setter: sean@touchstoneclimbing.com
With Gratitude and In Solidarity,
Morgan McGehee
Proud Member of IATSE, Local 16