A supplement to the protest alleged, however, that George Geller, an International representative and the local union's research director, threatened Pam Stimatz, an employee of Impala Press.
On March 15, 2006, one day after the instant protest was filed, Geller
allegedly telephoned Impala Press
and verbally abused and threatened Stimatz.
Ms. Stimatz told our investigator that she was "threatened, frightened, and physically shook up" by Mr. Geller's
When our investigator questioned Geller
about these allegations, he
admitted that he
"was aware of [his] conduct" and would not allow it to recur.
Further, Susan Davis, attorney for Local Union 237, informed our investigator that local union officers spoke with Geller "and are confident that there is no danger of similar conduct occurring in the future."
The factors compelling this conclusion include 1) the extreme vulgarity of the words Geller used and the menacing tone in which they were uttered; 2) the repeated threat of harm; 3) the fact that Geller is a representative of both Local 237 and the International Union.
We order Geller
to cease and desist from making prohibited threats or otherwise retaliating against members, or those employed by candidate campaigns, based on their exercise of rights protected by the Rules.
We further order Geller, within 3 days of receipt of this decision, to sign the attached Notice and post it on all union bulletin boards under the jurisdiction of Local Union 237
and to maintain that posting for a period of 30 consecutive days.
Within the same time limit, Geller
is also directed to mail a copy of the signed notice to Pam Stimatz at Impala Press
must submit an affidavit of compliance to our offices within 2 days of completing the notice-posting and mailing portion of this remedy.
We limit the remedy in this case to a cease and desist order and notice-posting requirement, noting that, prior to his
improper threats, Geller
facilitated the transmittal of the membership list and bulk permit information to Impala Press
FROM GEORGE GELLER,
Secretary-Treasurer, Local Union 237
216 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011-7296