Stand for Security

Security officers at Sony Building authorize strike against contractor for unfair labor practices

2012-05-04T15:46:46Z

Contractor U.S. Security Associates thwarting officers' right to organize union.

New York, NY-Security officers who work for U.S. Security Associates (USSA) at Sony Corporation's North American headquarters on Madison Avenue have authorized their organizing committee to call for a strike against the private security contractor if it refuses to remedy unfair labor practices.

USSA faces federal labor charges for allegedly attempting to thwart workers' rights to organize a union. By retaliating against unionizing efforts with a campaign of illegal intimidation, the contractor has repeatedly stood in the way of workers' attempts to gain better working conditions, wages, training and benefits.

]]> One example of the company's retaliation is the sudden enforcement of a rule prohibiting security officers from socializing on and off their posts. Until the Union came around, no one said anything about socializing, according to Luis Pena, a contracted security officer at the Sony Building for eight years.

Other retaliatory actions include issuing a disciplinary warning to security officer Adrian Cleckly, a leader in the organizing effort, and the reassignment of security officer Ramon Espinoza from his post in an attempt to prohibit workers from discussing the union.

These recent actions are just the latest in a campaign of intimidation by USSA, which includes the firing a worker in New Jersey for organizing with SEIU 32BJ.

Rabbi Michael Feinberg of the Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition said security officers do not deserve to be intimidated by their employer for engaging in lawful organizing efforts to better their work conditions. Also joining to support the workers is the Rev. Dr. Kennard E. Davis of the Truth Center for Higher Consciousness in Brooklyn.

"These are good, honest, hardworking men and women," Feinberg said. "They deserve fair wages, affordable health care and the ability to exercise their rights to form a union without facing threats of being fired or other harassment in their work."

The security officers took their strike authorization vote Wednesday at the building at 550 Madison Avenue.

Pena said security officers in the building won't rest until they have the right to organize for better wages, affordable health care, and good benefits without fear of retaliation. USSA security Officers would like an improvement in the number of sick days and personal days and vacation time that they get, Pena said, adding that officers currently get no sick days, personal days or vacation during their first year on the job. After one year, they get two sick days, two personal days, and one-week vacation. They get two weeks of vacation after five years on the job.

32BJ represents 13,000 security officers who protect commercial office buildings, higher education facilities, government facilities, museums, libraries, stadiums and other high profile sites in the city including the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, Yankee Stadium, Fordham and Columbia Universities, all three of New York City area airports, the George Washington Bridge, the World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

With more than 120,000 members in eight states and Washington D.C., including 70,000 in the New York area, 32BJ is the largest property services union in the country.

Connecticut Security Officers Vote to Authorize Strike

2012-04-05T21:09:36Z

Security officers in Hartford, Connecticut, voted this week to authorize a strike in the event that an agreement is not met with their employer, SOS Security.

Though employed for a private company, the officers work to protect important state buildings, including those that house Homeland Security, Social Services and Revenue Services. SOS officers say that that the strike authorization is in response to a failure by the officers' employer to make pension contributions required by the state contract, and the company's attempts to intimidate workers who are engaging in lawful union-organizing activities.

]]> "SOS Security has responded to our lawful union organizing efforts with intimidation tactics, interrogation, and this is unacceptable," said security officer Matthew Anderson, one of several officers quoted by local news site CT News Junkie. "We are ready to take unprecedented measures to stand for what is right." Anderson has worked at the 450 Capitol Ave. complex for two years.

"It is disgraceful that when hard-working people try to talk to each other about improving their work conditions, employers like SOS Security respond with intimidation and harassment," said Kurt Westby, Director of 32BJ SEIU in Connecticut. Some security officers say they earn so little that many are forced to rely on taxpayer-funded healthcare and other public assistance.

The officers held a rally at the Connecticut state capitol to speak out about their jobs, and were joined by several local elected officials.

"It offends me when contractors that purport -- when it's time to get the business -- and they say 'We will do right by our workers, state of Connecticut,' and they don't. And so we shouldn't have to stand here today," said Shawn Wooden, president of the Hartford City Council. "But we are here to say 'enough is enough.'"

32BJ SEIU has requested that the Department of Administrative Services conduct an audit of SOS, to review whether they've made proper pension payments, paid correct holiday rates and wages, offered fair healthcare options, and provided working safety equipment such as radios.

In Spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., Officers Stand Up for Equality and Freedom at U.S. Security Associates

2012-04-05T01:55:16Z

Forty-four years ago today, Martin Luther King Jr. lost his life while standing up for equality, opportunity and freedom among all Americans. Working families have made great strides since then, but in recent years the walls of inequality that divide us have risen too high.

Nowhere is this more apparent than with security officers employed by U.S. Security Associates, who every day protect people and property at facilities owned by wealthy corporations such as ExxonMobil, JP Morgan, and Sony.

]]> It's a basic principle that people who work for a living should be able to make a living. But U.S. Security Associates officers in five U.S. cities have reported wages too low to provide for their families, being forced to access healthcare at the emergency room, and having no paid sick days.

Some U.S. Security Associates officers have also reported witnessing harassment or discrimination on the job, including sexual harassment by supervisors or peers. This lack of dignity, respect or a voice on the job impacts not only individuals, but the entire company and our communities as a whole.

Watch officers tell their own story in the video below. Then send your own letter to CEO Chuck Schneider urging him to respect his employees' rights to equality and freedom:

Dr. King taught us that we have a mutual responsibility to build and strengthen our communities. It's time to reclaim King's dream and join with others, like the hardworking officers who are being ignored at U.S. Security Associates, to raise standards for all.

Stand with us: Click here to send a letter to U.S. Security Associates now.

Philadelphia Security Officers Unite for Better Jobs, Stronger Communities

2012-04-02T19:48:54Z

Kobra Oden, a security officer who works to protect Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, has been speaking out about improving the security industry for over a year now. Writing for the Stand For Security blog in 2011, she talked about being unable to provide for her family due to low wages and a lack of affordable health insurance. Last week, Kobra joined with other Philadelphia security officers and community members to rally for a union organizing drive that will improve 3,000 security jobs and help raise standards within the industry.

"Too many workers in Philadelphia are working hard every day but are not able to make ends meet. That's why I'm fighting for good jobs for our communities," said the mother of three and member of the 32BJ SEIU Security Organizing Committee. "I work hard and I take pride in my job. At the end of the day, I just want to be able to provide for my family and contribute to my community."

Security officers rallied alongside elected officials, community and faith leaders, union members, workers, students and activists in Philadelphia's famous LOVE Park on Thursday to unite for improving the city's security jobs.

]]> "With our nation's economy still in trouble - and about 25 percent of Philadelphians living in poverty - it's more important than ever that hardworking families have good-paying, stable jobs," stated Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell. "Now these workers will have the chance to earn a decent wage and have the health care that they need to support and care for their families."

The 3,000 security officers who are organizing for better wages and benefits will bring millions of dollars to Philadelphia and surrounding communities. A majority of security officers across the city at major universities, institutions and office buildings in Center City are organizing with 32BJ.

"Securing wage increases and healthcare is not only a significant victory for the city's security officers, but it also demonstrates that when workers come together and unionize they can bring about a path to the middle class," said Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Richard Bloomingdale in support of SEIU and local security officers. "We encourage all of the security companies in the city to work with SEIU 32BJ to create family sustaining jobs for security officers in Philadelphia."

Local media also covered several workers' important stories. We encourage you to read more about them at Philadelphia Weekly here.

Security Officers Call on U.S. Security Associates to Improve Jobs and Raise Company Standards in New York City

2012-03-30T16:35:51Z

Security officers and community supporters rallied in New York City last week to call on U.S. Security Associates to respect its employees and improve security jobs.

Officers at the Sony Corporation's headquarters building on Madison Avenue say that U.S. Security Associates has stood in the way of workers' attempts to gain better working conditions, wages, training and benefits by violating their right to organize. Officers marched together from Madison Avenue through Midtown.

]]> Kenesha Henry, a veteran of the U.S. Army and a mother of a 4-year-old girl spoke about not being able to care for her family due to a lack of adequate benefits. Henry said that as a U.S. Security Associates employee, she gets one sick day and one week of vacation per year.

"I am a parent. What am I supposed to do when my child is sick for more than one day?" said Henry, a Brooklyn resident.

"New York's working people need family-supporting wages to live in dignity," said 32BJ SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Hector Figueroa. "No one who works for a living should be in poverty. Especially in this expensive city, decent wages and benefits are critical."

32BJ represents security officers who protect commercial office buildings, higher education facilities, government facilities, museums, libraries, stadiums and other high profile sites in the city including the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, Yankee Stadium, Fordham and Columbia Universities, all three of New York City area airports, the George Washington Bridge, the World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The union is in the process of bargaining contracts covering some 10,000 security officers that are set to expire this year.

Next up in the efforts to professionalize the security industry are the city's commercial office buildings, with the contract for officers working at these locations set to expire on March 30th. But irresponsible contractors like U.S. Security Associates could undermine those efforts.

"Our fight to raise standards across the security industry isn't just about getting new contracts for security officers. It's about demanding respect on the job," Figueroa said.

At the Sony Building, security officers have previously protested what they call an unfair pay card system that USSA imposed on workers, which extracts fees for things like getting account balances and withdrawals.

Security officers and community members in several cities across the country have spoken out about the irresponsible record of U.S. Security Associates, urging the company to raise standards for the industry. The company faced public outcry in Philadelphia last year after a former employee was allegedly harassed on the job and then removed from her position. Most recently, the administration of Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray said it does not plan to renew the company's contract to protect D.C. government buildings.

Read more about raising standards in the security industry at www.standforsecurity.org.

Security Officers Hold Prayer Vigil For Good Jobs In Indianapolis

2012-03-16T19:15:10Z

Watch a Securatex Officer speak about improving jobs in Indianapolis

Security officers in Indianapolis protect lives and property every day, but some report that they make poverty wages with limited access to affordable health care.

On Tuesday, community and faith leaders in Indianapolis joined security officers in a prayer vigil for good jobs. The vigil was held in front of a Wishard Health Services clinic on the city's near east side.

Officers who work for security contractor Securatex organized the vigil to call attention to the effects of low-wage, no-benefit jobs on the local community.

Read more about the event and watch a video of officers speaking about their jobs here.

Washington, D.C., Plans to Terminate $41 Million Contract with U.S. Security Associates

2012-03-11T20:17:58Z

The administration of Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray plans to terminate U.S. Security Associates $41 million contract to protect D.C. government buildings.

Brian Hanlon, interim director, Office of Government Services, confirmed that D.C. has chosen a new security contractor to take over protecting these sites. Hanlon says the new contractor will begin providing security services soon.

The current contractor, U.S. Security Associates, has failed at least 23 weapons inspection tests since 2009 and been fined at least 118 times for violations of security and contract requirements at city government buildings.

]]> "Mayor Gray is doing the right thing by getting rid of this contractor to ensure taxpayers get more responsible protection at public buildings," said Jaime Contreras, capital area director for Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union.

According to a July 2011 memo, undercover agents performed security tests from July 2010 to May 2011 in several of Washington, D.C.'s public buildings. At 12 USSA-protected facilities they were able to:

Enter without showing identification
Enter with a simulated cellphone bomb
Enter with a simulated pipe bomb
Enter with a simulated metal gun
Drive in restricted areas
Smuggle in a simulated explosive hidden in a book

Citizens have expressed concern about U.S. Security Associates for some time. Most recently, Stand For Security supporters and Washington, D.C., residents sent emails to key members of the City Council, urging them not to extend the multi-million dollar contract of U.S. Security Associates and asking them to consider the public safety when choosing a responsible contractor.

"The solicitation process conducted was a 'best value' solicitation that examined both performance and price," Brian Hanlon, interim director of the Department of General Services, told a reporter for Washington, DC's The Examiner. "In this case, Allied Barton achieved the higher score."

During the last year, at least 11 other U.S. Security Associates clients have decided to end their relationship with the company. In New York City, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Medgar Evers College-CUNY and the Art Institute of New York have dumped USSA. In Washington, D.C., the Brookings Institution and the National Education Association have terminated their USSA contracts. The Art Institute of Colorado in Denver, as well as other clients in New Jersey and Philadelphia, has done the same.

This story has been updated for accuracy since its original posting on March 2nd, 2012.

Working People vs. Credit Card Fees: Security Officers Protest Unfair Pay System at U.S. Security Associates

2012-02-23T19:25:00Z

Security officers in New York are taking on the financial industry and its seemingly endless fees by standing up to U.S. Security Associates' newly introduced -- and deeply unfair -- payroll practices.

Officers of U.S. Security Associates (USSA) are protesting a new pay card system they say is taking hard-earned wages right out of their pockets. The private security contractor imposed the system on its employees in New York City without the workers' consent, and officers have started incurring high fees taken from their already modest earnings.

"We did not have any say when they decided to give us our paychecks by pay cards," Kenesha Henry, an officer from Brooklyn and a single mother with a four-year-old daughter, said. "No discussion. They gave it to us and we just had to accept it."

]]> The shift to pay cards is a dangerous sign of companies aligning with Wall Street banks, which have time and time again shown zero obligation to seeing the average American succeed.

Pay card systems have plenty of benefits for a company's profits -- but not for its employees. Pay cards take the financial risk off of the employer and puts it onto the employee and his or her family. They can easily be stolen, and can come with high fees for simple things like inquiring account balances and withdrawing funds. This forces many workers to withdraw all of their pay at once, leaving them vulnerable to being robbed, or unable to maintain a savings account or pay certain types of bills.

Luis Pena, an officer from the Bronx, was suspended from work without two days pay for protesting USSA's new policy. "They came in unannounced with a mandatory card, something we did not want," Pena said. "The pay card and all the fees they charge are unfair."

New York City Council Members have spoken up in support of the officers, urging USSA to listen to the concerns of its employees. "This is about dignity and respect in the workplace," Councilman Brad Lander of Brooklyn said. "Imposing a pay system like this that takes their hard-earned money out of their pockets is not a way to show you respect your employees."

American workers in low-wage industries already struggle to support their families, pay bills and save enough money to make ends meet. They shouldn't have their own earnings taken from them by the financial firms that have crippled our nation's economy.

U.S. Security Associates Awarded for... Training?

2012-02-17T19:22:21Z

After failing several weapons tests and allowing security lapses in public buildings in Washington, D.C., U.S. Security Associates is -- surprisingly -- being honored for its quality of training. This week in Atlanta, U.S. Security Associates was one of multiple security companies presented with the Training Magazine Top 125 Award, which, according to the magazine, ranks the organizations that excel at "human capital development."

It is, of course, ironic that a company with a record of failed security tests and allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination among their own employees would be honored for their employee training. However, a deeper look into the Top 125 Awards reveals that they aren't fully based on an independent, impartial review of companies. In order to qualify, a company must first nominate itself, and then answer a detailed questionnaire and provide data on its own company.

]]> As company managers and executives celebrated at the Training Magazine Conference, Stand For Security supporters in Atlanta were out educating the public about the potentially dangerous effects of U.S. Security Associates' poor training standards. The company touts its long-distance "USA Security Academy," where "trainees across the nation participate in live interactive training programs via Web and video-based conferencing." But in Washington, D.C., tests revealed what appear to be poor training standards at the company, allowing simulated bombs to pass security checkpoints into public buildings.

In the security industry, we should all be taking training seriously. Along with better wages and important benefits, good training is important not only for security officers, who want to do their jobs well, but also for clients and the public.

Proper training can reduce turnover and develop the skills needed to keep the public safe in an era when police budgets are being slashed throughout the country.

According to U.S. Security Associates, this is the sixth consecutive year that they have won the award. Perhaps the company should spend less time on nominating themselves for awards, and more time providing their employees with the training they want -- and need -- to do their jobs well.

After Memo Reveals Huge Security Gaps at U.S. Security Associates, DC City Council Solicits New Security Contractor

2012-02-09T18:14:12Z

After an internal memo detailing huge security gaps at U.S. Security Associates surfaced last December, the District of Columbia is now soliciting bids from other security contractors to protect public buildings in our nation's capital.

The move is being considered a victory for Stand for Security supporters and all those concerned about public safety in Washington. In explaining his support for seeking other security options, one member of City Council said, "There have been some failures with penetration tests by US Security Associates, and liquidated damages have been applied to US Security Associates." ]]> In December, Stand for Security reported on the memo, which details how undercover agents were able to enter past security with a simulated cell-phone bomb, a simulated pipe bomb, and a simulated explosive hidden inside a book, while also being permitted to drive in restricted areas. In total, U.S. Security Associates' poor training standards failed to stop security breaches 31 times at 12 public buildings.

While the company claims to have state-of-the-art training, the D.C. security test failures left both residents and local media questioning whether the company's training standards are good enough to protect our nation's capital.

Leading up to the January 17th City Council meeting where the decision was made, Stand For Security supporters and District residents sent emails to key members of the council, urging them not to extend the multi-million dollar contract of U.S. Security Associates and asking them to consider the safety of the city's children and families.

Their voices have been heard. An announcement about the contract is expected next month. Washington residents and Stand For Security supporters will be counting on the City Council to follow through on their commitment to public safety in 2012.

Challenges Plague U.S. Security Associates at Philadelphia Nursing Home

2012-01-12T20:40:21Z

Recent revelations show that U.S. Security Associates (USSA), charged with protecting the Philadelphia Nursing Home, does a poor job of screening its employees and that its on-site manager at the nursing facility has a record of criminal and sexual harassment allegations against him.

The company, responsible for protecting residents and employees at the publicly funded, 451-bed facility has also been working under an expired contract since June 30, 2009. City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown is calling for the city to seek a new security company.

"Given that there is not a current contract between U.S. Security Associates and Philadelphia Nursing Home, we believe that the contract needs to be put out to bid. If the allegations of security personnel being fired for reporting that they are being harassed are true, there is even further motivation to put this contract up for bid now, not later. Contracts need to go to a responsible bidder - sexual harassers need not apply," said Brown.

]]> Questions have been raised about whether USSA's contract at the nursing home ever got the necessary city approvals. The city owns the nursing facility but contracts with a private, Philadelphia-based operator, Fairmount Long-Term Care, to run it. The contract prohibits Fairmount from entering into any subcontracts without the city's prior written approval.

SEIU Local 32BJ and a citywide committee of security officers also called on the city Public Health Commissioner Donald Schwarz to investigate the concerns of nearly 100 nurses who have signed a petition calling the nursing home's site manager, Todd Messer "a threat" to workers. In addition to their petition, more than 900 concerned citizens and supporters of Stand For Security have called in writing for USSA's removal from the facility.

Messer was charged with two felony counts of neglect in Indiana in 2004 for leaving a loaded handgun in a place accessible to children, and failing to provide a safe or sanitary home or adequate supervision, thereby endangering a 22-month old and a six-month old. He ultimately pleaded to one misdemeanor account.

USSA also has sexual harassment charges pending against it for the behavior of Messer. The charges were filed by a former security officer at the nursing home, Lisa Garner, who lost her job without explanation after rejecting advances by Messer. She recently shared her own story on video. Messer has a checkered background: He moonlighted as a promoter and scout for a pornographic magazine, "Hot Bods," and left his "Hot Bods" business cards at his workstation in the nursing home.

USSA secures more than 10 locations in Philadelphia and the suburbs, including St. Christopher Children's Hospital, Hahnemann Hospital and the Art Institute.

Security Officer Lisa Garner Speaks Out About Sexual Harassment at U.S. Security Associates

2011-12-21T14:36:55Z

Watch Lisa Garner tell her story in the featured video. Then join her and hundreds of other Stand For Security supporters who are calling on the City of Philadelphia to remove U.S. Security Associates from the Philadelphia Nursing Home here: www.standforsecurity.org/lisa

Lisa Garner and her family could be left out in the cold this holiday season -- simply because she complained about being harassed at work.

In 2010, Lisa had worked as a security officer for 10 years at the Philadelphia Nursing Home. She loved her job protecting residents and staff -- until another security officer allegedly began to harass her repeatedly with inappropriate comments and lewd behavior .

When Lisa complained to her employer, U.S. Security Associates, she realized she was taking a risk. She didn't expect it to end with losing her job this year.

]]> When Lisa was let go from her position, she filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. But while she waits for an investigation, she's still unemployed, living on welfare and about to lose her home.

Meanwhile, the man who harassed her still works for U.S. Security Associates supervising new female employees. And U.S. Security still has a contract with the nursing home.

Sexual harassment is unacceptable, and the worst part is that Lisa's not alone. Since 2002, at least 23 women employed by U.S. Security Associates have filed federal suits or official complaints alleging sexual and other forms of harassment and discrimination at the company. Women shouldn't have to choose between being abused and being unemployed.

Former employees like Lisa Garner are speaking out to put an end to sexual harassment and discrimination at U.S. Security Associates. We're standing with them until U.S. Security Associates fixes its irresponsible and unacceptable behavior.

Special Alert: DC Memo Points to Huge Security Gaps, Poor Training Standards at U.S. Security Associates

2011-12-20T13:05:34Z

Several Washington, DC media outlets -- from The Washington Post to Fox 5 Television -- have been reporting on the failure of U.S. Security Associates (USSA) to prevent multiple simulated security breaches in the District's high-profile public buildings.

The media scrutiny stems from an internal Government of the District of Columbia memo -- obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by Stand for Security -- that reveals both huge security gaps and poor training standards at USSA.

]]> From July 2010 to May 2011 undercover personnel working on behalf of DC's Protective Services Police Department (PSPD) made several attempts to penetrate security operations run by USSA and/or its subcontractor Watkins Security, at 16 different public facilities. During the exercises, designed to test the reliability of security operations, undercover personnel were able to:

Enter without showing identification.
Enter with a cell-phone bomb.
Enter with a simulated pipe bomb.
Drive in restricted areas.
Smuggle in a simulated explosive hidden in a book.

USSA failures were widespread. In at least 12 public buildings, USSA either failed to detect the penetration or did not follow proper protocol when they did. All told, there were at least 31 failures.

To clients, USSA touts its long-distance "USA Security Academy," in which "trainees across the nation participate in LIVE interactive training programs via web and video based conferencing." The "state of the art training studio" is "the cornerstone of our national training and development efforts." But in DC, several tests revealed what appear to be poor training standards at the company. According to the memo:

"Recruit #1 entered the listed location carrying a black bag with a simulated pipe bomb. The Officer at this location detected the pipe bomb but had no knowledge what police action to take once the bomb was discovered."
"Recruit #1 entered the lobby of the listed location, placed a black bag on the x-ray machine. The Officers [sic] at this location was able to detect the bomb in the bag. The Officers had no idea which person in line had placed the bag on the machine. The Officer went down the line asking is this your bag?"
"Recruit #1 entered the listed location and placed a black bag on the x-ray machine. The Officers at this location detected the bomb in the bag but fail [sic] to follow proper procedure in securing the bag once the bomb was discovered."

This is not the first time USSA has failed security penetration tests in Washington, DC. As we wrote last June, a May 28, 2010 internal USSA memo revealed that, "each time PSD conducted a penetration exercise, we have failed." The author of the memo then threatens security officers. "You can and will be relieved of your posts if you continue to fail the Protective Service Penetration exercises," he writes.

USSA may again try to blame its failures on security officers. But the latest internal memo reveals that company training is responsible for security gaps in DC's public buildings.

Our nation's capital deserves better than USSA.

U.S. Security Associates Under Media Scrutiny After Undermining Public Safety in Washington, DC

2011-12-19T19:51:12Z

U.S. Security Associates, the fourth largest security firm in the country, is once again under scrutiny in the Washington, D.C. media for putting the public at risk.

"If you felt like there's no way anyone could ever smuggle a cellphone bomb through security at the Wilson Building, you need to reassess your feelings," writes Alan Suderman in the Washington City Paper this week.

An internal memo recently obtained by SEIU has revealed more than a dozen different potential security breaches at D.C. government buildings, including some that are supposed to be protected by U.S. Security Associates, between July 2010 and June 2011.

]]> Tim Craig from The Washington Post writes:

"Undercover police officers and recruits have repeatedly sneaked simulated bombs into high-profile District government buildings, including the John A. Wilson Building that houses the office of the mayor and council members, according to a newly released memo.

[...]In addition to the breaches involving simulated weapons, the memo outlines several instances where visitors were not asked for identification, as is standard policy for anyone entering a city building. Recruits also successfully drove vehicles into some unauthorized areas, according to the memo."

Reporting on the memo, WUSA 9 News reporter Ken Molestina asked Mayor Gray, "If someone was able to bring fake explosives in here, what's to say that someday they're not going to bring in the real thing?" Gray's response: "It could happen."

WUSA 9 News also interviewed SEIU's Jaime Contreras, who described the root of the problem of companies like U.S. Security Associates: "This is not the officers. This is the training that these companies are not providing and the quality of training that they are providing."

Given the impact on public safety, several media outlets also reported on the most recent problems to surface at U.S. Security Associates. Below is Fox 5 DC's report, as well as links to more media reports.

This is not the first time U.S. Security Associates has failed security penetration tests in Washington DC. For the safety of all Washingtonians, the city must end its relationship with U.S. Security Associates as soon as possible.

"Memo Exposes Gaps in D.C. Security" - The Huffington Post

"New Report Says D.C. Government Buildings Are Vulnerable" - WMAL 105.9 FM

"Fake bombs breach D.C. security" - WTOP 103.5 FM

Read our own story on the memo here: DC Memo Points to Huge Security Gaps, Poor Training Standards at U.S. Security Associates

U.S. Security Associates Fires Marine After He Voices Support for His Union

2011-11-11T12:11:48Z

Today a grateful nation honors its Veterans. But in its treatment of one New Jersey veteran, U.S. Security Associates has not.

PHOTO: United States Marine
Daniel Pereira was fired
by U.S. Security Associates
after he voiced support
for a security officers' union.

For Newark security officer Daniel Pereira, Semper Fidelis, "Always Faithful," is more than just a motto. It's a way of life.

After 15 weeks of training as a United States Marine, Daniel learned the meaning of the famous Marine Corps motto along with the core values -- including justice, dependability, integrity, initiative, unselfishness, and knowledge -- that make a U.S. Marine.

Then he put those values to the test in Iraq.

Daniel came home after 13 months of serving his country. Like other returning service men and women, Daniel ran into a problem. What kind of job was he coming home to?

"I got a job with U.S. Security Associates," he says. "It was the best thing I could find."

]]> At USSA, Daniel was paid just $9.25 an hour. "For healthcare, I kept my veterans' benefits," he says.

In April of 2011, Daniel made contact with a representative of the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ. "I liked what they had to say," says Daniel. "I was especially interested in the training program that the union established in New York."

That a Marine would put emphasis on safety training is not surprising. But Daniel, who grew up in the close-knit, working-class community of Ironbound, was also interested in the quality of jobs available to his coworkers and neighbors. "Pay raises, medical coverage, dental coverage, access to legal services, all of these things are important for working people," he says.

Daniel began to attend meetings with other Newark security officers about forming a union. With his Marine sense of integrity, he did not keep his support of his union a secret. "I spoke with my coworkers about the union by phone and I spoke with two of my supervisors about it several times," he says.

On July 15, 2011, Daniel was fired.

"I had no disciplinary issues whatsoever prior to my termination," he says. "They told me that somebody had complained about me for not greeting people and not smiling. I told them that was weird because I work at night, when the building is mostly empty."

Daniel has filed an official complaint of Unfair Labor Practices with the National Labor Relations Board, which is now investigating USSA.

As the Marine awaits the results of the investigation, perhaps USSA -- which uses patriotic imagery as a commercial tactic -- should adopt a new motto, Nunquam Fidelis, "never faithful."