April 2, 2004

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Most BNA Employees Say HQ Should Not Be Moved
Overwhelming Majority Favor Guild Role In Decision

A solid majority of Guild-covered employees working downtown think BNA should keep its headquarters right where it is. A majority also say that if the headquarters does have to move, it should be within DC.

That’s the result of a Guild survey of downtown employees.

The survey also shows an overwhelming majority of Guild-covered employees believe the union should be represented on the BNA committee looking into the possible headquarters move.

More than 400 employees – out of just over 700 downtown employees -- responded to the Guild survey. Of those responding 93 percent said the union should have representation on the BNA relocation committee.

In a March 12 letter, Guild officers formally asked Paul Wojcik to place a Guild representative on the panel, but Wojcik rejected that request. The Guild also asked for a copy of the report BNA is using to guide it in its decision, but so far BNA hasn’t agreed. (Copies of the Guild officers’ letter and Wojcik’s reply will be available at the membership meeting).

Employees were asked to say how important it was to keep the headquarters at the current location, more than 58 percent rated it as “1” or “2,” with “1” being “very important.”

Not surprisingly, DC residents overwhelmingly favored staying put, but just over half the Virginia and Maryland residents also opposed moving from the present location.

When asked where the headquarters should be moved if it is moved from the current location, by a 2-1 margin over the next locale, a plurality said it should stay inside DC. Montgomery County was the distant second choice, Arlington County third, Fairfax County fourth and Prince Georges County fifth.

More than half those responding said public transportation was their primary mode of transportation to work, and wherever the headquarters ends up, most want it near Metro. Well over half said it would be a hardship if the headquarters was not accessible to Metro. More than 40 percent said it would be an extreme hardship.

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