During the summer and early fall, security officers throughout the country have been on the move. Whether it’s 32BJ SEIU honoring those killed on 9/11 and announcing a campaign to organize more than 50,000 NYC security officers or SEIU officers going on strike in Baltimore or security officers trying to win new training standards in Boston, members are coming together like never before to secure a better future in their workplaces and in their communities.
San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley and Los Angeles County security officers have been the center for it all. After months of contract bargaining, security contractors initially offered workers a mere 25 cent raise over four years, and subsequent wage offers were still not enough for officers to make ends meet. Given the high cost of living and affordability crisis, security officers felt frustrated and disrespected, and are more determined than ever to take action. On September 2, union security officers from across the Bay Area as well as allies and political leaders gathered at Mechanics Monument Plaza in Downtown San Francisco to announce the authorization of an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike. Then on September 18, officers launched a 24-Hour ULP strike to demand a workplace free of unfair labor practices and to win a fair contract. The fight for a fair contract continues and security officers are prepared to make it happen.
Against the background of contract negotiations and after months of successful lobbying and advocacy, Governor Newsom officially signed the Stand for Security Act (SB 1203). This historic victory strengthens training standards for security officers, including hands-on de-escalation training, and requires employers to compensate officers for required training. In an industry plagued with high turnover rates and unsafe working conditions, this legislation is an important step toward ensuring that security officers are better prepared to protect themselves and the communities they serve.
