The windchill was minus six degrees at noon Monday as about 20 members and staff of SEIU Local 26, some wearing ice skates, some wearing boots, played hockey on the ice at Centennial Lakes Park. Their presence sought to dramatize that workers at Hannon Security Services are “on thin ice” without access to affordable health care.
All five office buildings at the Centennial Lakes complex contract with Hannon Security. Security officers at non-union Hannon lack access to affordable health care and minority employees have reported racial discrimination in hiring, pay, and promotion practices.
“After five years with Hannon, I have no health insurance and lower wages than some newer security officers,” said African American security officer Alvin Bouye. “I’ve trained white security officers who have been promoted and given raises.”
Hannon is under investigation by the federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission.
SEIU Local 26 is targeting Hannon to publicize the company’s poor treatment of workers while at the same time the local is negotiating with a group of five unionized security contractors. The workers contract expired Dec. 31.
Monday’s protest kicked off a “Week of Action” highlighting issues around access to affordable health care and working conditions at Hannon Security Services that will culminate in a procession Monday, Jan. 21, in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Steve Share edits the Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council. Visit the CLUC website, www.minneapolisunions.org
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