![]() Workers and Fight for 15 staffers would not comment on plans to move towards union recognition.īrink’s spokesperson Ed Cunningham says he “understands employees’ concerns.” He explains that Brink’s works in a very competitive industry and “had to take some actions to cut costs,” so he was “wasn’t surprised” to hear of the workers’ grievances. After seeing no changes, he says, they decided to join the Fight for 15. … we’re not the bad guys, it’s not up to us, your raise is coming, … just hang tight.” Cantu says workers have communicated these complaints to managers for over a year. Messenger Alex Alvarez says the company’s management has “led us on, giving us false hope. He cited the death of 60-year-old Brink’s messenger Alvin Kinney in Houston this February after armed assailants robbed his truck. He also wants to see truck teams of three workers, so one worker can provide security while co-workers deliver the valuable cargo (most trucks only have two workers, a driver and a messenger) and improved safety training. Cantu compared these wages to FedEx and UPS workers who can make over $ 20 an hour with overtime.ĭownes said Brink’s’ trucks are in poor working condition, lacking air conditioning or heat and extremely uncomfortable to drive in, and more workers are needed so employees don’t have to work up to 16-hour days. Downes said new messengers, the workers who carry bags of money or other valuables, make $ 13. He said Brinks reduced contribution to workers’ 401(k)s and only pay overtime for five hours per week, even though many workers work 60- to 80-hour weeks other workers confirmed this story. It’s about people trying to make a living.”Ĭantu said his children are working while attending college to help support his family. Cantu says that some people think of low-paid workers as “oh, they flip burgers, oh they’re just cleaning up the place. Staffers say the workers did, however, successfully return to work.Īt the Fight for 15 rally yesterday, driver Johnny Cantu said almost 50 of Brink’s Chicago’s nearly 80 drivers and messengers decided to strike and demand a raise, overtime pay, increased staffing and vehicle repairs. Workers attempted to deliver another letter to management today that explained their strike, but management instead called the police on the group. this morning, a group of about 20 Fight for 15 staffers and community supporters accompanied a group of around two dozen workers back to work, a tactic which the movement has used after every strike. Workers have not yet received a response from management.Īt 5: 00 a.m. The workers attempted to present a signed letter to management stating they were going on strike, but messenger John Downes says managers refused to come to the door. After making the decision at their headquarters that morning, they were joined by a group of Fight for 15 staffers and supporters. The workers say they made the decision that morning after reaching out to an organizer from the campaign a few days before April 15. But they have also expanded in ways that no one, including the campaign’s staffers, thought possible - like when nearly 50 drivers and security guards employed by Brink’s, the global security and logistics company known for its armored bulletproof trucks, suddenly decided to walk off the job early Wednesday morning. Organizers say their numbers have grown larger with each round of strikes. The Fight for 15 campaign says that yesterday’s protests in over 200 cities around the country were the biggest yet since the movement began almost three years ago.
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