Workers at Colorado-based Movement climbing gyms file unfair labor practice charges

Workers from Movement climbing gyms filed unfair labor practices charges with the National Labor Relations Board on Friday alleging the Colorado-based company interfered with restrained and coerced employees when its CEO refused a meeting with union representation according to the workers union The charges allege Movement CEO Anne-Worley Moelter engaged in unfair labor practices after a group of employees from climbing gyms across the country flew to Colorado to meet with her to discuss their stalled union contract negotiations according to a news release issued by Climbing Workers United Since workers at Movement gyms the largest climbing gym operator in North America have begun unionizing and fighting for higher wages benefits and for the company to address staffing and safety concerns the union disclosed However the company has not agreed to a first contract with any of the workers the union disclosed A representative with Movement gyms did not respond to a request for comment Friday Related Articles Telluride owner threatens price hikes if ski resort caves to union demands A Denver building for elderly and disabled residents yearned to unionize The private-equity landlord had other ideas How Starbucks tried to quash union activity in Colorado Colorado educator unions ride blue wave to win in school board races Cheesman Park cafe closes abruptly amid staff unionization effort In October a group of Movement employees nationwide gathered in Boulder to meet with the CEO According to the union employers were explained they could not bring their union representation into the meeting and had to stash their phones outside the room The unfair labor practice charge stated this behavior conveyed to the union members that their choice of union representation was disfavored and would upshot in less favorable healing If Movement is located to have violated federal labor law the NLRB could require remedies such as cease-and-desist requirements or other approaches to restore workers rights the union declared Dana Lavin a -year-old instructor and front desk supervisor at a Movement gym in Philadelphia was among the union employees who flew to Colorado for a meeting with the CEO at the gym s Boulder location Lavin stated she loves her job and the district it s created To make the job more sustainable she stated leadership should better train employees in first aid and exigency procedures and pay higher wages so workers don t need to stretch themselves thin at multiple jobs to make ends meet At Lavin s gym she announced employees start at an hour Lavin and her peers are asking Worley Moelter to come to the bargaining table and for the company to get serious about contract negotiations If we didn t love our gyms and love what we offer to people we wouldn t go through all this Lavin declared Workers have accused the gym of touting progressive inclusive values while engaging in union-busting exercises behind closed doors the news release commented Rock climbing gyms have evolved from niche society spots into one of the country s fastest-growing fitness industries fueled by private equity venture and a surge of new climbers the union s news release read As the sector expands workers say they re confronting the same economic pressures seen in other booming function industries where employees are unionizing for fair wages safety and a real seat at the table Get more business news by signing up for our Financial sector Now newsletter