Security officer campaign escalates; 17 arrested in act of civil disobedience + photos

[Omaha Steve]

For more information
See the Workday special section on the Stand for Security campaign: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?article_1_185

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3573

By Steve Share, Labor Review editor
21 March 2008
Minneapolis - Security officers and community allies filled the lobby of U.S. Bancorp Center in downtown Minneapolis late Thursday afternoon to support a fair contract and 17 were arrested in an act of civil disobedience.

U.S. Bancorp was targeted by Service Employees International Union Local 26, which is seeking a new contract for 800 private security officers who work for five security contractors. Members voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to reject a contract offer because it failed to include affordable health insurance.


Katherine Blauvelt, Workers Interfaith Network (left) and Lisa Amman, ISAIAH, continued chanting after being handcuffed.

Photo by Steve Share, Minneapolis Labor Review

The employers' contract offer would have made health insurance even more expensive than the current contract.

"We are here today to protect and defend community standards and say people who protect multi-million dollar real estate ought to be able to provide for their families," said Javier Morillo-Alicea, addressing a crowd of about 100 union members and supporters outside the IDS Center at about 4:30 p.m.


Inside the lobby of U.S. Bancorp Center (above), a group of 17 linked arms and sat down in an act of non-violent civil disobedience. Javier Morillo-Alicea addressed the crowd outside the IDS Center: "We are here to protect and defend community standards..."

Photos by Steve Share, Minneapolis Labor Review





The group marched across the street and rushed into the lobby of U.S. Bancorp Center, chanting, "What do we want? Health care. When do we want it? Now!"

A group of 17 sat down and linked arms. The crowd continued chanting. Police arrived within minutes. When the seated protestors refused to leave at the request of police, they were arrested. All arrested cooperated with police by presenting their wrists for handcuffing and by walking out of the building.

FULL story at link.

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/upload/editor/Image/2008/january/0131stand_for_security(1).gif

[pop goes the weasel]

1. I hope this spreads

I have several family members and friends who are security guards. They generally get treated like crap by any mid-level manager who is having a bad day, and often are reassigned and have wage cutes to their already paltry income merely on the whim of someone who wants to throw dust or because the guard enforced company policy equally instead of just against the lower level workers. Get a commendation for bravery and clear-headedness in an emergency one month. Get shown the door the next.