Walter Reed Cancels Union Election

Just hours before Walter Reed public works employees were scheduled to vote on union representation, top brass at the troubled Army Medical Center abruptly canceled the election and banned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from Center grounds. After protests by the union and the NLRB, the election was re-scheduled for next Thursday. "Democracy does not stop at Walter Reed's gates," said Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams. The 160 workers - who were government employees managing Walter Reed's physical facilities until February of this year - are now employed by Cerberus Capital-owned IAP Worldwide Services, a private company based in Cape Canaveral, FL and run by former military leaders, corporate and government figures. "This is just the latest - and most egregious - example of the kind of petty and illegal harassment that workers across American face daily from arrogant bosses who try to intimidate and silence them," said Mike Murphy, Business Manager for International Union of Operating Engineers Local 99, which organized the workers. The union is demanding an immediate investigation.