Union abandons appeal of Mystic Seaport vote

MYSTIC, Conn. (AP) — Organizers of a failed union drive at Mystic Seaport have ruled out an appeal of the union election.

The Westerly Sun reports that Eric Bailey, a spokesman for AFT Connecticut, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, said workers will not appeal the Aug. 17 vote, which rejected the union in a 145-90 vote.

It was not clear what the basis of an appeal would be.

Bailey said organizers will instead continue discussing the possibility of a union with their co-workers.

Pro-union workers said they wanted more of a say in how the tourist site is operated.

Management at Mystic, which celebrates New England's maritime past, pushed back against the union. Managers said problems at Mystic could not be solved by a union.