According to this article from ChicagoRealEstateDaily.com a federal lawsuit filled by the owner of the Congress hotel accuses hotel workers from Local 1 of sending a “cow pie” to potential conventioneers.

Apparently, if one is willing to believe this load of bull****, a heart-shaped package was sent around Valentine’s day to the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria. The problem arose when upon opening the package it was discovered that it did not contain candy but rather a large clump of cow manure. The lawsuit goes on to charge that the manure was an attempt by the union to discourage scientists from attending a convention at the hotel.

Of course a union spokeswoman declined to discuss specific accusations or confirm that a union representative sent the cow pie and stated, “This is another tactic by the Congress Hotel to disparage us. To me, this is just a sign they are upset that they have lost business.”

Well your Mandarin doesn’t know about that, but what I do know is that if I had received a package like that in the mail this story would have had a different outcome. First of all, I would have contacted federal law enforcement authorities to investigate and determine why and how someone used the federal postal service to send me a potential biological hazard. Secondly, I would have pushed the issue as a violation of my civil rights due to the undue influence and threat – whether real or perceived – against my person.

This is a union thug tactic plain and simple. As more and more conventions flee Chicago, your Mandarin wonders when the union will wake up and change their ways. The reality of the situation is that the union will never change their ways. The union management is like the mob that takes over the sporting goods store or restaurant. They run the business into the ground and when the business fails they burn it down to collect the insurance money and leave the original owner (or dues-paying members) holding the bag.

The Mandarin

The Mandarin, whose real name is 吏恆, joined the order in 1309, and introduced the Gormogons into England during the 18th Century.

The Mandarin enjoys spending time with his pet manticore, Βάρἰκος, or Barry (who can be found in the Bestiary). When not in the Castle…well, frankly, nobody is quite sure where he goes.

The Mandarin popularized the fine art of “gut booting,” by which he delivers a powerful kick to the stomach of anyone that annoys him. Although nearly universal today, the act of gut booting or threatening someone or something with a gut boot is solely due to him.