Tower Records’ Employees Reject Unionization by Wide Margin

The world’s most famous record store will not become the first unionized outlet in the business. Employees of the Tower Records music and video stores on the Sunset Strip voted by a sizable margin to reject representation by Studio Utilities Union Local 724.

The battle, closely watched by a music retail industry beset by declining profits and financial problems at several major chains, concluded late Friday with 50 Tower employees voting against unionization and just 27 in favor.

“A lot of people were afraid [of making a change], and unfortunately, when it came down to believing either side of the story, they trusted management,” said Tower clerk Mac Dunlop, one of the most vocal leaders of the pro-union movement. “But what can you do?”

Tower regional manager Bob Feterl said the vote affirmed the chain’s treatment of its employees, adding that the company has been “among the most liberal if not the most liberal” in the business.

Feterl said there would be no repercussions from the bitter battle.

Local 724 field representative and President Ray Schillaci says the union is examining several elements of the vote--including, he says, the intimidating presence of management representatives during the balloting--for a possible protest to the National Labor Relations Board.