New York, NY – Days after a grueling hearing before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, new Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan has to answer to Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand for BofA’s treatment of workers.
In a letter to Moynihan, Sen. Schumer (D-NY) asks the CEO to ensure that 36 fired Bank of America security officers are rehired and that family health care coverage is restored to the remaining 130 officers who guard four of the bank’s lower Manhattan office buildings.
“As it stands, these 36 security officers must look for new jobs and 130 individuals must now pay an estimated additional $550 per month to provide necessary medical care for their families,” writes Sen. Schumer, a ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee. “This is an onerous burden for low wage workers in a very difficult economy; no doubt these workers will be forced to seek out alternative sources of income to support their families. A better way is to rehire these workers in some capacity.”
Sen. Gillibrand has stood by the workers, asking former CEO Ken Lewis late last year to maintain not undercut standards for security officer. She reached out to Moynihan just this week.
Workers lost their jobs and benefits last Thanksgiving after Bank of America took over the four former Merrill Lynch properties.
“Bank of America should take responsibility for the hardships it has caused these workers. Security officers who protect the bank’s employees should be able to support their families and afford quality health care—especially while executives make billions in bonuses,” said Mike Fishman, President of 32BJ SEIU.
With more than 120,000 members in eight states and Washington D.C., 32BJ is the largest property service union in the country.
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updated 1/21/2010
