Updated: Mystic Seaport Union Employees Vote Against Union Representation

7:44 p.m. employees voted against union representation by a margin of fifty votes.

The took place today between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. All full-time, regular part-time and seasonal employees had the opportunity to vote. By the end of the voting period 145 Mystic Seaport employees cast votes against union representation with 95 voting for union representation.

Earlier this spring a number of to form the union called Mystic Seaport United. They hoped to join the Connecticut chapter of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which is the second largest AFL-CIO union in Connecticut.

Several Mystic Seaport employees who declined to be named expressed disbelief that the union representation vote failed and said they had expected the vote to be closer.

“I had been hearing it was 50/50,” one employee said. “I think it really depended on what department you were in.”

According to a press release from AFT Communications Director Eric Bailey Mystic Seaport United will challenge the results of the elections and will be filling new unfair labor practice charges against the Mystic Seaport.

“We believe Mystic Seaport management created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation,” Bailey said. “Once the NLRB has had an opportunity to investigate these new charges of misconduct, we are confident a new election will be scheduled.”

In May, Mystic Seaport United filed against the management of the Mystic Seaport. Those , but Mystic Seaport United believes that their new charges will cause an investigation into those original charges.

“Breaking the law to prevent a union is nothing new,” added Bailey. “These workers deserve better and the government will see to it that justice is served.”

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Hartford scheduled the election after the union . The vote for union representation took place in the Munson Room in the G.W. Blunt White building. All full-time, regular part-time and seasonal employees had the opportunity to vote between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

7:21 p.m.: The vote for union representation at the failed. In a 145 to 95 vote Mystic Seaport employees voted not to form a union.

Earlier this spring a number of to form the union called Mystic Seaport United. They hoped to join the Connecticut chapter of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which is the second largest AFL-CIO union in Connecticut.

“I’ve worked at the Museum in the shipyard for thirty something years. I’ve worked on all kinds of ships and boats and I love the work we are doing now. I know that by joining together (with the union) we can make the Seaport an even better place for this community," Seaport worker Dean Seder told Stonington-Mystic Patch earlier this year.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Hartford scheduled the election after the union . The vote for union representation took place in the Munson Room in the G.W. Blunt White building. All full-time, regular part-time and seasonal employees had the opportunity to vote between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

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