DAPHNE, Ala.—Representatives of the Mobile chapter of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, representing about half of Daphne’s Public Works employees, addressed Mayor Fred Small and the City Council in its Monday meeting.

Chapter Vice President and spokesperson Rick Lambert reminded the council that he recently e-mailed each member and asked why he had not heard back from them.

“We got the individual e-mails,” Councilman Ron Scott said. “But individually, we have no power. When we do have influence is when we meet together.”

Union representative Grady Bryant—referring to alleged conflicts between union representatives and Small—expressed possible plans for action.

“If the mayor do anything to my employees again, we will file legal boards,” Bryant said.

The union—which, a representative told a Daphne Bulletin reporter, will not strike—is considering filing a lawsuit against Small with the National Union Labor Relations Board.

Two union representatives last week told the Daphne Bulletin that Small in a Dec. 12 meeting treated them with disrespect, told them to “shut up” and denied attending an informal meeting outside City Hall where he allegedly seemed amenable to the union. Small denied the claims and Human Resources Director Sharon Cureton, also present at the December meeting, said that discussion had “turned into an argument,” and that Small told union reps to leave a meeting that “was going nowhere,” but that he hadn’t told them to shut up.

Just more than 50 percent of Public Works employees recently joined the Mobile chapter of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; they were prompted, a representative said, because they work without a department director, and needed some way to communicate their needs.

The last director left for work in Fairhope in 2007, according to Cureton. An interim director filled the position until last November.

Bryant on Monday had  addressed the council in an assertive tone that sounded aggressive to some council members.

“I felt threatened by the first gentleman who spoke,” Scott said, referring to Bryant.

“I think your demeanor is threatening,” Boulware said.

Councilman August Palumbo requested that the union tell, officially, how many employees they represent. He also wanted to know the nature of each job.

“I think that’s basic,” Palumbo said. “That’s simple understanding.”

Cureton has said that Small, union reps and she had met in July. “We wanted to know what they could offer the employees in terms of benefits.” However, she said, union reps hadn’t given them such information, which is why they scheduled the December meeting.

City of Daphne employees receive Blue Cross Blue Shield medical and dental benefits, including family coverage, long-term disability and life insurance.

Public Works employees—about 85 in total—are eligible for pension packages after 25 years of service and can retire after 25 years, regardless of age, according to a human-resources spokesperson.

The union’s Mobile chapter—created in 1902—serves more than 200 employees, including steel mill contractors and steam plant workers. It comprises 36,000 employees nationwide, including public-works employees in Florida.

A union spokesperson, asked by a Daphne Bulletin reporter, would not elaborate on what benefits it offers.

Small on Monday said that he, nor the city, recognizes Lambert, Bryant or the union representatives. For any progress to be made, Small must recognize the union as acting officially on behalf of the city employees.

“I do not recognize Rick, or this other gentleman, as being their spokesperson,” Small said. “I’m not trying to be mean to ya’ll.”

That didn’t discourage Lambert.

“Yes, we are a union,” he said. “We’re not going away.”

Small suggested that union members become more organized in their efforts.

“If they want to do this, they need to do it,” he said. “They’re not organized. Let’s fish or cut bait.”

Small said that he has not seen any drafts or information regarding employee benefits.

“What are our employees going to get,” he said. “The only thing I’ve heard to this point is representation.”

Council President John Lake said that every person has a right to be a member of a union.

“A union is a group of people that sets standards for its selves,” he said. “I don’t have a problem with people being in a union.”