Union Workers Protest 'Unfair Labor Practices' at Boch

Union workers rallied Sunday afternoon outside of Boch Honda on Route 1 in Norwood to protest alleged unfair labor practices at the company.

This isn't the first demonstration held against Boch, though it is the first at the Norwood dealership, and according to union representatives it may not be the last.

On Nov. 18, 2010, the technicians at Boch Honda in Norwood voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO (the Machinists Union).

"Since that time, management has done everything they can to undermine the efforts of these workers to get a first contract," said Mike Vartabedian, Business Representative for the union.

The only results after 25-30 negotiations with the company, Vartabedian said, have been, "ridiculous agreements." The union workers believe the company is intentionally stalling, and Sunday's demonstration was a show of support for the local members.

"We were not there to try to create a scene," Vartabedian said. "We just want the public to know what's going on."

The union has filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of about 25 technicians.

“It’s an ongoing fight,” Vartabedian said.

A representative from the office of Congressman Stephen Lynch also came to the Norwood demonstration to hear the union concerns.

"We recently learned of the dispute between the Machinists and the Boch Company," said a statement from the Congressman's office. "Dan Lynch attended the rally on behalf of Congressman Stephen Lynch to hear the concerns of the workers and show support for the Boch technicians who voted to join the Machinists Union. Ideally, the Congressman would hope that the parties can reach an agreement."

Though an agreement is what the workers are waiting for, Vartabedian said that if the current labor practices continue, this will not be the last protest.

“I’m sure that if this continues we’ll have more demonstrations,” he said.