Telemarketer ordered into union negotiation.

An ongoing battle between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and telemarketing firm MSGi Direct, has seen the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the National Labor Relations Board order the company, which has represented several nonprofits, to negotiate with the union.

The company's response to the unionizing efforts at its Berkeley, Calif., calling center was to announce, on the first day of court-ordered bargaining, its impending move down the Pacific Coast Highway to Venice.

The telemarketing firm, which has handled telemarketing campaigns for organizations such as the Sierra Club, the San Francisco Symphony, and numerous AIDS organizations, was accused of unfair labor practices, and the move might also qualify as such.

According to ILWU, workers have been seeking benefits such as sick days, vacation time and health coverage. In 1999, the company, known as Steven Dunn & Associates at that time, gave workers a $1 raise in hourly wages -- the first raise in base pay in five years, according to ILWU -- and provided new ergonomic chairs.

The union has been trying to organize workers in Berkeley for more than two years. Since the court-ordered bargaining began, "we've actually reached some agreements, however, nothing of great substance," said Jerry Martin, international organizer for ILWU. "They've maintained that they have no problem with union contract, but they want it in southern California."

A company official declined comment since negotiations were ongoing.