The question of whether America would be better off with more strikes is the wrong question as it makes the assumption that a strike will produce favorable results for the striking workers and this is simply not an absolute. The determining factor in this equation is not about which side is more powerful, has more leverage or how much each side is seeking. It is actually much less complicated. In its simplest form it is solely determined by whether the bargaining unit is negotiating from a position based upon what it believes is best for the bargaining members or for the strategic positioning and betterment of the union itself.

Yes I said it and it won’t be popular but before you say I represent the position of the corporate world and that I am the devil himself ask yourself this. If all unions cared about what was best for the members in all cases, why do they often get to decide whether the members get to see an offer presented by the company or even worse, whether the members will even be able to vote on a company presented offer? That is correct. Many unions don’t give their members these very basic rights. In fact, very often the current economic challenges facing the members and the long term economic impact of their demands on the company are not the primary considerations in negotiating – it is the long term strategic goals of the union itself that are put first.

I hear over and over again as we approach the November election that the Democrats are the only hope and the only ones that can save the middle class. I firmly disagree. The only thing that can save the middle class is the unions BUT only if they start acting less corporate and start representing the rights of the members as they were originally designed to do.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/10/opinion/rhomberg-unions-strikes/

North American Security and Crisis Response Leader Acquires Mena International Group, Extending its Expertise to Latin America

CLEVELAND, OH — August 14, 2012 — AFIMAC, a North American leader in corporate security and crisis response has announced its acquisition of Mena International Group, specialists in security, investigations and crisis response within Latin America. The buy-out comes just two weeks after AFIMAC announced its corporate merger of AFI International and IMAC Global, a move intended to streamline its services across North America. This flurry of alliance and acquisition activity signals a major growth and expansion phase for the well-recognized and elite group of security companies.

Through the acquisition of Mena International, AFIMAC will now further extend its reach into Latin America in order to better serve those companies with multi-regional operations. Latin America is a very important market for AFIMAC’s global clients and, based on its superior reputation, Mena was selected as the best security partner that could bring access, security expertise and experience across the region.

About AFIMAC
Combining the strengths of AFI International and International Management Assistance Corporation (IMAC), AFIMAC Global is a leader in the provision of comprehensive corporate security and contingency planning services through North and South America and also offers global services. Its diverse capabilities include executive protection, labor dispute planning & response, cargo security & escorts, disaster & emergency response, corporate investigations, workplace violence assessment & response. With a distinguished management team and highly skilled personnel, AFIMAC Global is well known for its high quality service delivery and immediate responsiveness. www.afimacglobal.com

About Mena International Group
With services spanning from investigations, crisis management, executive protection and emergency response, Mena International Group is recognized as the premier trusted security service provider for companies across Latin America. www.menasecurity.com

For media inquiries, please contact Kathy Hungerford, AFIMAC, 1-800-554-4622

AFI International Group Inc. (AFI) and International Management Assistance Corporation (IMAC) come together as one super firm to bring leading-edge security and crisis management services to clients across the globe

CLEVELAND, OH — August 1, 2012 — Five years after partnering to assist clients with their security operations, AFI, a leader in crisis management and response, and IMAC, with expertise in emergency response, risk management and business continuity services, have announced a merger into one company: AFIMAC. This new firm will deliver a stronger, more unified array of security services and will continue to provide the highest levels of customer service to its diverse client bases globally.

Through the merger, AFIMAC, becomes a single source solution for companies across the globe, no matter where they require top quality security and crisis services. Unifying the culture of the two companies has been an easy transition as employees in both firms have been interacting regularly on joint accounts.

By combining forces in this way, AFIMAC also brings together more than 55 years of industry-leading experience in emergency response, strike security, risk management, and business continuity services to protect its clients’ people and property, both during times of crisis and regular business operations.

“More and more clients have been turning to AFI and IMAC for a full range of services on both sides of the border,” says Peter Martin, AFIMAC president & CEO. “Merging the two companies streamlines how we can deliver this, with the highest quality levels and the greatest cost-effectiveness in the security industry.”

According to Martin, exceptional service will continue to be the hallmark of the new company:

“100 percent of our clients have been able to maintain their desired level of operation during a crisis … and 100 percent of client projects have been on budget, met projections, and delivered the promised services. The bottom line is clients come to us when they are facing significant risk and need operations executed flawlessly.”

With the security industry’s leading senior management team at the helm, AFIMAC promises to deliver unrivalled security and crisis expertise to its markets. The new firm offers an assortment of pre-crisis contingency planning and premium security and emergency response solutions to government and businesses in nearly every sector and industry with proven results.

“AFIMAC brings a refreshing cohesion in the corporate security sector,” says Stephen Anderson, AFIMAC vice president. “The new venture clearly shows that we have invested heavily in assembling a global group of services and experts, instead of informal partnerships, which is truly exceptional in our industry.”

About AFIMAC
Combining the strengths of AFI International and International Management Assistance Corporation (IMAC), AFIMAC is a leader in the provision of comprehensive corporate security and contingency planning services globally. Its diverse capabilities include labor dispute planning & response, cargo security & escorts, disaster & emergency response, corporate investigations, workplace violence assessment & response, and executive protection. With a distinguished management team and highly skilled personnel, AFIMAC is well known for its high quality service delivery and immediate responsiveness.

About AFI International Group Inc.
AFI International Group provides elite security, risk management, business continuity and investigative services to protect people and property both during labor disruption and regular business operations. AFI also offers an assortment of pre-crisis planning and premium security solutions to businesses representing nearly every industry.

About International Management Assistance Corporation
International Management Assistance Corporation (IMAC) offers elite security, risk management and business continuity services to image conscious companies across North America. IMAC has partnered with their clients to protect people and property both during times of crisis and regular business operations. The company also offers an assortment of pre-crisis planning and premium security solutions to businesses representing nearly every industry.

For media inquiries, please contact Kathy Hungerford, AFIMAC, 1-800-554-4622

Article by 20/20 Canadian Manufacturing & Exporters’ Magazine

A worker breaks his back roofing, gets hospitalized for three months, and is off work from his manufacturing job for a year. His neighbour, a long-time acquaintance, lets slip he is working under the table for cash, while at the same time receiving workplace injury benefits.

As his employer – who is obviously concerned about the overall productivity of your operations – what would you do?

Desmond Taljaard makes it his mission to provide companies with the answer. As vice president of corporate investigations and security services with AFI International, Taljaard oversees internal investigations into workers’ compensation issues. Much of his work involves investigating the validity of claims and working with employers to see if there is fraudulent activity or workplace injury fraud.

“I would define it as someone feigning an injury in order to gain benefit when they are not entitled to that benefit,” says Taljaard, who estimates there could be as much as $100 million spent each year investigating potentially fraudulent claims in Ontario.

And while many cases do turn out to be fabricated, Taljaard adds that a high percentage end up being legitimate claims. “Someone will be hit by a forklift. Someone will hurt their back.”

When an incident occurs, certain red flags start to jump out. For example, complaints of pain may not match the case, or colleagues may see a supposedly injured employee out and about. Investigations, however, have made even easier by a growing culture of connectedness and social media. Public profiles like Facebook are much less intrusive than surveillance.

“People freely post ‘broke 90 today on the links’ as their status update,” says Taljaard, a former policeman and detective. “Colleagues know each other better than human resources or employers in most cases, and they’re the ones who feel the pressure of a lost employee.”

And when these cases are caught, there are consequences.

Read more…

US: Retail crime growing in severity http://t.co/8g0Nlv4m

Register today for AFI’s: Workplace Safety, Health & Wellness – Claims Management, Fraud and Your Bottom Line: Symposium #investigations

Workplace Safety, Health & Wellness Symposium – Claims Management, Fraud and Your Bottom Line: The Real Cost of Ris http://t.co/YSXwfsDV

As a Gold Partner of the EAC and CME symposium on Workplace Safety, Health & Wellness – Claims Management, Fraud and Your Bottom Line: The Real Cost of Risk, AFI would like to invite and offer you a promo code to receive a discount.

Desmond Taljaard of AFI will also be in attendance and presenting Factors to Consider When Investigating Claims of Workplace Injuries

Please find further information here or contact aferguson@afi-international.com to have a brochure emailed to you.

To register simply click this link https://eac.cmemec.ca/mpower/event/loadevent.action?e=278 and enter promo code “afipromo” in small letters and you will receive the member price of $275 before June 1^st and $325 after June 1^st.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Mike Sherrard wraps up with an outstanding presentation of “Union Globalization” #human resources # labor relations http://t.co/tDwZLgwi

Dr. Michael Corcoran takes the stage on day 2 of our event discussing “Workplace Violence Prevention Stratgies” # HR http://t.co/0z24luRT