February 17, 2003

Galveston PACE Union 

The new City of Galveston employees union, PACE Local 41 was notified last week that it could no longer hold union meetings in the city's police substation at 53rd and Avenue S.

Gladys Jones, president of the union, who said Police Chief Bob Pierce had previously given permission for the group to meet at the facility, received notice from City Hall that last week's scheduled meeting could not be held just two hours before the meeting.

City Manager Steve LeBlanc said the chief apparently was not aware of the prohibition against the use of city facilities for non-city business, thus he announced that the practice could not continue.

"Even though I had a written approval, I chose to move the meeting because I did not want to add to Chief Pierce's and Captain Mack's problems," Jones said in a statement.  

The meeting was moved outside to the parking lot.

Jones said Firefighters Union President Charles Olsen called her when he heard of the incident, and offered the fire union hall on Heards Lane for future meetings of the municipal employees.

"We thank God for taking charge of our problem," Jones said.

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