The workers' informational picket served as a warning to eBay, TCGplayer's parent company (see "eBay Closes on TCGplayer Acquisition"), to end its alleged stall tactics and meet the union at the bargaining table in good faith, according to statements on the union's X, formerly Twitter. The union won its election in March 2023, when a unit of 223 workers at the TCGplayer Authentication Center voted to unionize with the Communication Workers of America (see "Union Wins Election at TCGplayer"). Since then, the union has repeatedly claimed on social media that eBay was dodging the union's attempts to bargain in good faith. Today, TCG-Union's X post on the informal picket said, "Today, we held an informational picket outside of @TCGplayer Syracuse HQ to demand @eBay stop union-busting. It's been 9 months since our election and we need a contract NOW."
We asked TCGplayer for a comment on the picket and received the following statement: "Today, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) coordinated informational picketing activities outside our headquarters involving some of our AC team members and non-TCGplayer union supporters. We respect the right of team members to engage in lawful protests, and remain committed to reaching an agreement with the CWA that allows us to retain and attract talented team members, positions TCGplayer for future growth and success, and allows us the flexibility necessary to meet our customers' needs."
The union’s activity and eBay’s response have not gone unnoticed by major shareholders, including New York pension funds. On November 13, 2023, Paul S. Pressler, Chairman of the Board of Directors at eBay Inc., was sent a joint letter from the offices of the New York City Comptroller (Brad Lander) and the New York State Comptroller (Thomas P. DiNapoli). The New York city and state pension funds collectively own 2.5 million eBay shares valued at $111 million (at 6/30/2023). The letter blasted eBay for revising the company's Human Rights Policy, removing language supporting workers’ rights to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. The letter asked eBay's chairman for a response by December 4.