Security Workers Urge Fenty To "Obey Contracting Laws"

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Charging that Mayor Fenty is circumventing the City Council's review processes and is putting city residents at risk, dozens of security officers and members of SEIU Local 32BJ rallied outside the Wilson Building at noon yesterday demanding that the Mayor “obey the city’s contracting laws” and replace U.S. Security – a city and school security contractor – with a responsible company. “We are here today because we believe that Mayor Fenty should follow his own responsible contracting laws to protect DC workers from negligent contractors,” said Kathy Howell (at left), Assistant District Director of SEIU 32BJ Capital Area. “DC residents pay U.S. Security tens of millions of dollars a year to protect DC schools and city buildings, but the company is not making the grade.” Among other issues, the union says that U.S. Security has failed drills to detect weapons in city buildings and has been fined repeatedly for violating security and contract requirements, “yet the company remains the contractor at more than 76 schools and municipal buildings without the City Council’s approval.” Following the rally, demonstrators delivered a copy of the contracting code to the Mayor’s office, urging him to reject any “renewal or extension of U.S. Security’s multi-million dollar contracts at DC schools and public buildings because of the company’s poor track record.” The City Council has demanded answers from the Mayor and has called for a thorough investigation. – report/photo by Adam Wright