BOSTON, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Andrews International, one of the nation's largest security firms, is currently under investigation for wage theft in Massachusetts and is facing investigations by the National Labor Relations Board in Boston and New York for alleged unfair labor practices. In response to the company's apparent disregard for the law, Andrews' security officers and their supporters are staging demonstrations in cities across the country including Boston, New York and Los Angeles.
Over the past five years, Andrews International has been sued nine times by workers complaining of wage theft. Four cases are still pending and Andrews International has more than $1.8 million in back wages and related costs to settle the others.
"Andrews was cheating us out of our overtime pay by forging our time cards and I took them to court for it," said John Macias, a security officer at Sony Studios in Los Angeles. "I was harassed for speaking out -- but we don't have to stand alone anymore. If we unite together, we can stand up for our rights and make sure they follow the law."
Andrews International security officers across the country are organizing to join the Service Employees International Union, the nation's largest union of security officers.
Boston -- All 13 members of the Boston City Council signed a letter sent to clients of Andrews International, expressing their concern regarding their troubling legal track record and the alleged illegal firing of a security officer for participating in a union organizing campaign.
New York City -- Security officers filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board to challenge provisions in their employee handbook which allegedly interfere with their legally protected right to discuss and speak publicly about working conditions.
Los Angeles -- Andrews' security officers and their supporters distributed leaflets last week at many high-profile sites currently serviced by Andrews, including the Hollywood and Highland shopping center and the Fox and Sony studio lots.
In addition, today a new website dedicated to exposing the employment and business of Andrews International launched at www.InsecureWithAndrews.org.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is working to improve security industry standards. SEIU is the nation's largest security officer union representing 30,000 security officers nationwide. SEIU is North America's fastest growing union with 2.1 million members.
SOURCE Service Employees International Union
