Bal Harbour, FL
Since ancient times, the Olympic Games have represented the highest ideals of fair play and honorable competition. Thus, it is ironic and unfortunate that the Atlanta Committee on the Olympic Games (ACOG) -- the agency managing the 1996 Summer Olympics -- has contracted with the Borg-Warner Security Corporation to provide security at the Olympics.
Borg-Warner is a business empire including companies whose shameful employment policies make a mockery of the Olympics' values. The employees of its subsidiary, Pony Express Courier Corporation, have voted in three dozen locations to be represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), yet Pony Express adamantly refuses to bargain with the Teamsters to reach a settlement. Indeed, the company's tactics are shown in the more than 100 charges of unfair labor practices pending against it before the National Labor Relations Board.
This behavior is part of a larger pattern that appears in some other areas of the Borg-Warner group. For example, in congressional hearings, Pony Express's abuse of the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit has been documented. And the American Civil Liberties Union brought suit to challenge Borg-Warner's pre-employment testing of its personnel for their political views.
Such a record should not be allowed to compromise the good name of the Olympics. The AFL-CIO calls on ACOG to insist that Borg-Warner Security Corporation ensure the right of its own and its subsidiaries' employees to representation in the workplace. If Borg-Warner does not respond to that appeal, ACOG should sever its relationship with that company and reopen bidding for the contract to provide security at the 1996 Summer Olympics.