How it All Began

News came out on September 24, 2007 that Stanley Inc. was granted the new contract for the USCIS. The three year contract amounted to a whooping $185 million base with a $224 million ceiling. Realizing that this is relatively a huge sum for such a short contract, some of the Service Contract Workers thought this was promising. Everyone was hopeful that this successor will provide better benefits and possibly higher wages than the previous one.

Stanley Inc. and its subcontractors decided to welcome their new workers through an orientation meeting. Contract officers were introduced. The upcoming program manager announced that they will match everything that we have, including our wages. This promise resonated into the succeeding days -- to the detriment of the contractors.

The workers thought everything was set, and that the transition was going to be smooth. On the day of submission of our applications and supposed interview, some of us were met instead with a job offer with an adjustment to a lower classification and pay grade. I and the other workers who were brave enough to question the reclassification and pay-cut, despite the promise made by the program manager, were given another offer -- to either take it or leave it.

I visited SCOT admin at that time. I was able to speak with an HR person, with whom I was trying to get some answers from. I asked her how these companies can reclassify us and cut our wages just like that. She said the contractors can do whatever they want. I said nothing and walked away but I vowed not to let this one go.

A group of workers were already rallying outside by the loading dock. The agitation was intense but there was no clear plan to fight. Talks about unionization sprung out but none of us knew how to begin. But the idea itself made us realize our rights about protected concerted activities and the right to assemble. A few days after, we planned to stage a picket.

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