Donna Hernandez

Western Union: the Fastest Way to Steal Money

At an immigration rally I attended yesterday in New York, I spoke with several immigrants about their work and unfair wages. Many complained about absurd fees charged by Western Union on remittances—transfers of funds by immigrant workers to their homelands and different states.

Although Western Union makes billions of dollars and over 118 million transactions worldwide, the company still overcharges its customers and only invests 5 cents of every $100 back into our communities. The company was founded in 1871 in New York and quickly expanded westward displacing Native Americans and whoever stood in the way of their wires and poles.

In response, a movement against Western Union is growing.

Next Thursday, May 10th will mark a day of action in New York. At 3:30 PM EST, protesters will rally outside of one of the Western Union shareholders meeting at Sidley - Austin, one of the most prominent law firms in New York City.

Check out this film from Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research & Action (TIGRA) who are leading the campaign against Western Union and building multi-million dollar remittance clubs around the U.S.

Posted at 11:22 AM, May 03, 2007 in Immigration | Permalink | View Comments