With strike imminent, security officers appeal to building owners

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3513

By Barb Kucera, Workday editor
21 February 2008

MINNEAPOLIS - Facing an imminent strike, security officers and supporters took their case directly to the owners of downtown buildings.

Some 200 people, led by faith leaders, marched through the Minneapolis skyway system Thursday. Members of the Workers Interfaith Network and ISAIAH – two organizations of faith communities focused on social justice – were turned away when they attempted to address a meeting of BOMA, the Building Owners and Managers Association.

But a representative of BOMA met with the group and listened to the concerns of security officers.



Security officer Mike Kipka (above right) expresses his concerns about workplace safety to BOMA representative Dick Kohl (in suit). Below, members of ISAIAH and the Workers Interfaith Network joined members of SEIU Local 26 in a march through the Minneapolis skyways.



Mike Kipka, a security officer at Block E in downtown Minneapolis, told BOMA representative Dick Kohl that a major issue for the workers is training and protective equipment.

"I'm not going to wait until one of us gets killed or injured," he exclaimed.

Twin Cities security officers, represented by Service Employees International Union Local 26, resume negotiations Saturday and are calling on companies to address their key issues and settle a new contract at that time.

FULL story at link.