We are the largest union of security officers in the nation, made up of more than 30,000 officers who work for private security companies. Security officers have united with SEIU in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Washington, DC.

We provide the highest quality professional security services for high-rise commercial buildings, banks, nuclear power facilities, airports, warehouses, and the high-tech industry all across America. We work to help keep property secure and people safe where they live and work.

Today, more than ever, the safety and well-being of building tenants and the public depends on security officers. But too often, we find ourselves without proper training and proper compensation to do our jobs.

When it comes to economic security, the workers who guard 90% of our country's buildings and work sites are not sharing in the economic opportunity and limitless growth potential that increasingly characterizes our industry. Low pay and a lack of basic benefits, including affordable health care, are keeping hundreds of thousands of security officers and our families struggling to make ends meet.

When it comes to national security, most of America's cities and businesses have adopted the unfortunate viewpoint that "it won't happen here." This attitude is a major reason why few improvements have been made within the private security industry to raise standards, even after the tragedies of September 11.

There are more than a million private security officers already working in one of the fastest growing industries, which gives our nation's largest private security firms an important role- and responsibility - to help rebuild our economy. Instead of leaving hardworking security officers in poverty and failing to provide improved training and equipment, these firms must turn private security into more professional, steady, good-paying jobs with health care so we can create safer buildings and stronger communities.