WHO: Workers employed by the Wackenhut Corporation–one of the nation’s
largest security firms–joined by U.S. Representatives Chaka Fattah (D-PA) and
Patrick Murphy (D-PA), SEIU official Wayne MacManiman, Jr., and Wackenhut
workers from Philadelphia, Miami, Minneapolis, and elsewhere. Three Wackenhut officers
from the Tri-Rail and Miami-Dade Metro Rail will be in attendance.
WHAT: Announcement of the launch of a national Wackenhut Workers
Organizing Committee to demand union recognition and dignity and safety on the
job. Nearly 40,000 Wackenhut officers guard a range of public and private
facilities including Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, PA;
Columbia College in Chicago, IL; the Tri-County and Miami-Dade rail systems in
Miami, FL; a federal nuclear materials site in South Carolina (and other nuclear
sites); and Bank of America sites nationally.
WHEN: Monday, May 19, 11:00 am
WHERE: In front of the Liberty Bell, south side of Market Street between 5th
and 6th Streets, Philadelphia, PA. (Workers will also be available for interviews by
phone with their local media.)
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Wackenhut–a wholly owned subsidiary of the London-based G4S, the second
largest global employer–has been the subject of congressional investigations
and found liable for wage and hour violations in the millions of dollars.
Wackenhut guards federal installations, nuclear facilities, municipal transit
systems, and has additional private clients. A recently released audit by
Miami-Dade County found Wackenhut liable for millions in taxpayer fraud.
For more information go to www.eyeonwackenhut.org.
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