Unfair Suspension of Sound Transit Security Officer
Suspended officer was leading effort To improve security at
Sound Transit and citywide
from SEIU Local 6
Security Officers, religious leaders, and community supporters picketed
Wackenhut security operations at Sound Transit headquarters on December 9. They
protested the unfair suspension without pay of long-time Wackenhut Security
Officer Franklin Bullock, who has been outspoken in support of raising security
standards at Sound Transit and citywide. Unfair Labor Practice charges have
been filed on behalf of Mr. Bullock with the National Labor Relations Board.
"It's a shame to do this to a hardworking, conscientious security officer so
close to the holidays" said Michael Ramos of the Church Council of Greater
Seattle. "If they're punishing him for standing up for what he believes in,
that's just plain wrong." Wackenhut has not shown Mr. Bullock the charges
against him.
The suspended officer, Franklin Bullock, has worked as a private security
officer for 20 years and is a vocal and prominent leader in support of higher
standards for private security. Since September he has been speaking with
security officers throughout the greater Seattle area about the need to reduce
turnover, and improve training and working conditions in the private security
industry. "I believe Wackenhut suspended me because of my efforts to improve
standards for security by forming a union," said Mr. Bullock., "I believe I have
been singled out."
"Wackenhut needs to put Franklin back to work and give him his back pay" said
Sergio Salinas, president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local
6. "Wackenhut should listen to its employees who want to improve security--not
suspend them without pay."
In August, Wackenhut security officers from Sound Transit testified in front of
the Sound Transit Board that Wackenhut did not provide adequate leave time and
that health insurance coverage offered by Wackenhut has not affordable. The
workers told the Board their difficult working conditions had negatively
affected their job performance.
In August, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wrote to the Sound Transit Board
expressing his concerns over Wackenhut's labor relations practices, saying they
raise "questions about the work environment within Wackenhut and possible
impacts on the quality and reliability of security services." King County
Executive Ron Sims and other prominent Sound Transit Board members also took
stands in support of the officers.
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