Resist Plea
Briner said he was “bewildered” when he received notification from the National Labor Relations Board about the attempt to unionize. In letters to patrollers obtained by Bloomberg, Bacon and Mickey Blake, who now sits on the board of directors, implored the patrollers to resist.
“This rush to unionize now is a jarring and incongruous move with so much underway,” wrote Bacon, who declined an interview request. “We are not a faceless, profit-driven or absentee corporation for which union protection might be a more natural step.”
“I still struggle with disappointment and guilt that on my watch our family could no longer pay for the improvements essential to keep the business going,” Blake wrote. “Doesn’t the new team get more than just one season before you decide you can’t work with them?”
The pleas worked. In November, 22 patrollers voted in favor of unionization and 22 voted against, leaving the effort in defeat, since a tie loses.
Deveaux said he was disappointed, but hasn’t ruled out trying again.
“I’ve broken 11 ribs, had two accidents and I’ve had to have a total knee rebuilt,” he said. “I have whatever a man could want. It’s a great life, but you don’t get paid for it.”