Eye on Wackenhut

Fired Wackenhut Officer Takes Part in Launch of National Organizing Committee

While the vast majority of security officers in Minneapolis and Saint Paul move forward, non-union security companies like Wackenhut, Hannon, and Avalon are holding their officers back. Nearly 800 officers united in SEIU Local 26 recently won a new five-year contract that sets a new standard for private security in the Twin Cities, but companies like Wackenhut would rather silence their officers than meet that standard.

Richard Dieterle and most of the other security officers at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage are concerned about the poverty wages, lack of health care, and poor treatment they receive from Wackenhut Security. So with a super-majority of authorization cards signed by his co-workers requesting a union, Richard went to discuss improvements with Wackenhut. Instead of beginning a dialogue like a responsible contractor, Wackenhut fired him.


Richard has 31 years of experience as a security officer with a stellar record of service. He has a Masters Degree and is a decorated Vietnam veteran, but now Wackenhut wants to take away his freedom to speak and advocate on behalf of himself and his co-workers.

And the regional office of the National Labor Relations Board recently found merit in the case that Richard's firing was illegal, and issued a complaint against Wackenhut.

Last month, Richard traveled to Philadelphia to take part in the launch of a national organizing committee of Wackenhut workers, where he spoke alongside officers from Philadelphia and Miami. You can view video of the event here:

Wackenhut should work with their Security Officers instead of breaking the law.

For more information about Wackenhut's actions in the Twin Cities, contact us and look for further updates soon. For more on Wackenhut's record around the country, visit Eye on Wackenhut.