Thread: Labor union criticizes the handling of immigrants

Labor union criticizes the handling of immigrants
By: MARGARET GIBBONS , Times Herald Staff
08/06/2008

COURTHOUSE - A union that represents janitorial workers Tuesday blasted a King of Prussia firm for assisting federal immigration agents in taking into custody illegal aliens that were employed by the company.

"We deplore (ABM Industries Inc.) for lying to employees and luring them to a meeting under false pretenses without regards for their existing rights and protections under the law," said Valarie Long, vice president of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). "We expect ABM to abide by its legal and moral obligations to the workforce."
ABM corporate communications Vice President Tony Mitchell responded that the union's statement misrepresents ABM's role and responsibilities as an employer.

"Our policy is to comply with the law and that compliance includes assisting in enforcing the law," said Mitchell.

"It is not in our interest or anyone else's to have illegal immigrants working for us," said Mitchell.

Advised by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency that it had illegal aliens on its payroll, ABM reportedly was given two options. One option was having those employees taken into custody at different facilities where they worked, including buildings owned by Montgomery County government. The second option was having them taken into custody at one central location, according to sources.

ABM opted for the second option, asking the suspected illegal employees to report to a central location last Thursday under the guise of a training session.

A total of 42 workers were arrested on administrative immigration violations, according to ICE media relations specialist Paula Grenier. These violations include illegally entering the United States or legally entering but violating the terms of their immigration status by remaining longer than they were authorized, Grenier explained.

Of the 42, 22 were immediately released for humanitarian reasons, she said. These humanitarian concerns include childcare, health care and dependent care issues.

These 22, along with the 20 who remain in custody, face deportation and will have hearings before an immigration court judge, according to Granier.

Long said the union was "shocked and saddened" by the ICE action "which has resulted in the detention of dozens of cleaners who are now ripped away from their children and families."

"Rounding up and deporting hardworking immigrant workers is an inhumane and counterproductive action that does nothing to fix our nation's broken immigration system," said Long. "These raids, which are completely out of line with our nation's values and ideals serve only to terrorize workers and create fear in our communities."

The union has scheduled a rally in support of immigrant workers for Thursday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown.

Montgomery County has a $251,100 contract this year with ABM to provide janitorial services at One Montgomery Plaza, the county-owned high-rise office building directly across Swede Street from the county courthouse, and for the public areas of the county courthouse. The county uses its own maintenance staff for more secure areas in the courthouse.
This is the second year for the county's contract with ABM.

County officials said they learned of the ICE action on Monday.

A statement issued by ABM Monday said the company had complied with all federal regulations governing the hiring of workers and had fully cooperated with the ICE investigation.

Under ABM's contract with the county, the company is required to fully abide by all federal and state laws, according to county Communications Director John A. Corcoran.

The county is investigating the situation to determine if ABM knew or should have known that some of its workers, including those assigned to the county buildings, were illegal, said Corcoran.

ABM is continuing to fulfill its contractual obligations for the county.
http://tinyurl.com/5ob7my

The employers did the right thing and I applaud their efforts! But the Union is twisted and must be prosecuted and severely fined for aiding and abetting criminals.


Just an aside....
Illegals do not have guaranteed rights like due process under our laws because they are not citizens!

This is INCREDIBLY GOOD news! Go ICE & Montgomery County!

"We deplore (ABM Industries Inc.) for lying to employees and luring them to a meeting under false pretenses without regards for their existing rights and protections under the law," said Valarie Long, vice president of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). "We expect ABM to abide by its legal and moral obligations to the workforce."

ABM corporate communications Vice President Tony Mitchell responded that the union's statement misrepresents ABM's role and responsibilities as an employer.

"Our policy is to comply with the law and that compliance includes assisting in enforcing the law," said Mitchell.

LOL funny how this union shyster whines about "legal" obligations to criminals while expecting the company to violate federal law!
Illegal aliens will be found, I could care less HOW it's done, get it done!

I think the fed should look more closely at these "unions"!

"We deplore (ABM Industries Inc.) for lying to employees and luring them to a meeting under false pretenses without regards for their existing rights and protections under the law," said Valarie Long, vice president of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). "

Hmmm...... let me see if I've got this right, illegals can lie and receive a job under "false pretenses" but the ABM (in cooperation with federal law enforcement) can't lie to catch illegals who lied????? Doesn't make much sense to me.

Seldom are the innocent stung in a sting operation.