Sweden-based security company Securitas says it is committed to community values. Yesterday, a majority of Cincinnati Securitas officers put that commitment to the test as 60 officers and supporters gathered at Securitas offices to ask for recognition of their union.

The officers in Cincinnati, who are paid as little as $8 an hour, were joined by officers from ten other cities--including Denver, Minneapolis, Portland, Boston, Sacramento, Silicon Valley, Chicago, New York, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Stockholm, Sweden. Together they attempted to deliver a letter urging Securitas to follow its own Code of Conduct and the global agreement that the company has signed onto, which allow officers the freedom to form a union in order to bring good jobs and enhanced security services to their communities.

This was the third time Cincinnati officers had visited the office to formally ask for cooperation from the company. After several minutes of keeping their door locked, Securitas Management finally opened the office, but refused to listen to any of the officers--including members of the company's own Board of Directors and the Swedish Transport Workers Union who had traveled from Stockholm to observe Securitas officers' conditions in the United States. They were shocked at what they saw.

Watch the encounter here:

After being refused a chance to speak and having the door literally slammed in their faces, officers and community allies pushed an enlarged copy of a letter under the office door. The letter simply reminded the company of its own Code of Conduct and a Global Agreement that they have with Union Network International. Under terms of the agreement Securitas pledged to work cooperatively with its employees to ensure the workers' freedom to form a union.

Watch the reactions of members of the Swedish Transport Workers' Union and a member of the company's own Board of Directors:

"Cincinnati is struggling with poverty, foreclosures and unemployment," said Melvin Tuggle, Cincinnati security officer. "The city needs good jobs, and Cincinnati will benefit from us coming together to form a union. Janitors have already proved that this can be done, showing us how the quality of an entire industry can improve when we take a stand together like this."

Cincinnati security officers hope that the company will stand by its own Code of Conduct, where it states that "Ethical conduct is good business." In the Code, Securitas acknowledges its leadership in the industry, and accepts "far-reaching responsibilities towards the countries and communities in which it operates." One of these responsibilities is to develop the entire industry through a "goal of raising standards and wages" industry-wide, not only in cooperation with trade organizations and unions, but through respecting the right of all of its employees to form and join trade unions.

Securitas officers in cities across North America are standing together to form unions in order to raise industry standards.

Editor's Note: This post was updated at 6:45 PM EDT to include video from yesterday's events.

Having just won a union through a majority-sign up election, 60 of Minneapolis' Block by Block "Downtown Ambassadors" have become members of SEIU Local 26.

Like suburban security officers at seven companies who are now conducting a majority sign-up election, the Block by Block Downtown Ambassadors work for a firm that agreed to be neutral during the organizing campaign.

The workers' new contract became effective July 1. SEIU President Javier Morillo-Alicea reported that the contract "equaled or improved the standard of both our security contract and our cleaning contract." Workers with one year of service saw their pay increase from $11.50 per hour to $13.22 per hour. "Workers who got significant raises were quite happy," Morillo-Alicea noted.

Block by Block was contracted by the Downtown Improvement District to help raise the quality of life in the city.

Downtown Ambassadors, like security officers, help the public and keep people safe. These new union members pick up litter, direct visitors and provide a safer downtown. "Our mission is to make downtown a safer, cleaner environment for everybody," said Michael Jacques, St. Louis Park.

Michael clearly relishes his work as he patrols the streets of downtown Minneapolis: "You're making a positive influence in people's lives."

As a new union member, Michael also relishes the new lessons that come with power in the workplace. "Now we've got to learn to work together as a union and company," said Michael, who helped negotiate the contract and now serves as a union steward.

This fall, he will be standing with suburban security officers who are conducting a majority sign-up election.

Read more about Block by Block in an article by Steve Share at Workday Minnesota.

Photo credit: Sam Mukherjee, Minneapolis Labor Review

Click here to receive Twin Cities email updates from SEIU Local 26.

"I'm voting for the union because I want security to be a proud and honored profession," says Eric Meade, who has worked in the suburbs for Securitas for over seven years.

Eric is especially proud of those many times when he's come to the aid of people having medical problems.

As a dedicated professional, Eric believes in loyalty to a company. But he also believes in fair play and respect on the job. That's why Eric voted yes - because officers in SEIU have already won:

• Seniority: Seniority that is maintained across accounts within a company and maximizes public safety by encouraging veteran officers to stay on the job.
• Fair Pay: Regular yearly raises that gradually improve the jobs on which our economy relies.
• Affordable Healthcare: For $40/month this year, and just $20/month by 2012. Security officers are able to visit the doctor when they're sick, helping to keep the entire community healthy.

"As security officers, we do a lot for our community," Eric says. "Winning a contract will allow us to do more. I hope our contribution becomes regarded more highly by this society. That includes better compensation, better benefits, and more recognition of the vital service we provide."

Eric is not alone. Suburban security officers at seven companies are now conducting a majority sign-up election and union members, and allies will be standing with Eric and his co-workers during this crucial time.

Click here to receive Twin Cities email updates from SEIU Local 26.

Security officers in Halifax, Nova Scotia are coming together to fight for higher wages and to pressure security contractor Securitas to honor its global agreement and allow security officers the rights to join a union.

Some Securitas officers in Halifax make as little as $9.85 an hour regardless of their amount of experience, like Michael Anthony who has worked in the industry for 30 years. Quoted in The Chronicle Herald, Anthony said his pay isn't the only motivation to organize a union.

"A union will benefit officers by giving them a voice in the workplace," Anthony, who works at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, said Thursday. "To be able to raise our concerns and have them listened to will allow officers to perform their jobs at the highest level."

In 2006, Securitas signed an international agreement with unions, committing that it would allow workers to form unions and provide unions with necessary employee information to make that happen.

But Securitas has repeatedly ignored the agreement in multiple North American cities. SEIU organizer David Bush has said that in Halifax, Securitas has "sent out letters [to employees] saying that the union is a third party, and that they shouldn't join a union---that's a violation of the agreement."

An article in Halifax's weekly newspaper The Coast highlighted some of the key problems Securitas employees face with the company, including union intimidation, low wages, lack of training, and scheduling issues.

There appears to be management intimidation of employees, agrees Michael Anthony, who works as a Security guard at the Natural History Museum. "There are a number of employees who would like to see us have a union, but they are a little afraid to be seen as being in favour of the union."
[...] Still, neither Bush nor Anthony say pay is their greatest concern. Rather, both mention the lack of site-specific training as their first concern. "The guards are getting on-the-job training," says Bush. "These people are first responders, first responders to people, and to the building."

Community members have come out in support of the officers, equating better jobs to increased security for the public. In a press conference this week at Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Securitas officers were joined by members of the Canadian Federation of Students who support improving training, safety and other standards in the security industry.

"For students safety is a primary concern and this service is invaluable," says Elise Graham, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students, Nova Scotia. "It provides a secure space we can use to complete class work and develop our practices."

Upon organizing, Securitas officers in Halifax would join their Canadian colleagues who already belong to unions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Ontario.

The largest security company in Washington, D.C. is putting our nation's capital at risk, according to a letter of concern signed by all 13 members of the D.C. City Council. Last week, the Council sent a letter to the Office of Contracting and Procurement urging to "not allow this company to continue benefiting from taxpayer funded multi-million dollar contracts" and immediately bring in a responsible contractor that can be trusted.

The contractor, U.S. Security, has repeatedly been fined by the District of Columbia for violating security and contract requirements this year, and failed drills to detect weapons in city buildings. Yet the company still remains the contractor at more than 76 schools and municipal buildings throughout the city, leaving residents and Council members wondering why.

Fox 5 News reports that the D.C. City Council has lost all confidence in the firm, citing that investigators were able to penetrate security at schools and government buildings by slipping weapons past guards undetected, and has faced other serious problems:

In a letter to the District's Chief Procurement Officer, the council members complain U.S. Security Associates has, "a history of questionable conduct and discrimination complaints, including two lawsuits by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a recent $2.5 million jury verdict for sexual harassment and retaliation, as well as sizeable wage and hour litigation."

In an interview at the Wilson Building Tuesday, Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser told FOX 5, "We want to make sure that the types of security that's provided in our buildings is the best of the best, so we want to make sure that agencies, just like other contracts, have in place qualified companies to protect our citizens in the District."

Washington has already paid the price of poor security in the past. Last year, security contractor Hawk One was fired, "after a four-year record of poor supervision, inadequate training, ineffectiveness and 'fraternizing with students," according to the Washington City Paper.

D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles is now conducting a review of U.S. Security and its contract with the city. D.C. taxpayers pay U.S. Security more than $40 million a year to protect local schools and city buildings.

U.S. Security's record is alarming to members of SEIU Local 32BJ, who have been working for years with responsible security contractors and elected officials to enhance training, raise industry standards and improve life for security officers. 32BJ has called on Mayor Adrian Fenty to end the irresponsible contract and stop skirting his responsibility in putting D.C. first.

After the failed tests, The Washington Post reports, U.S. Security sent a memo to its 300 officers in the District, threatening to fire those who did not do their jobs. But the current contract ends in September, and many are hoping it won't be renewed by Mayor Fenty's administration.

As the Washington City Paper put it, "With security contractors like these, who needs criminals?"

Boosted by a spirited rally of about 50 fellow officers and community supporters, a delegation of security officers, faith, and community leaders attempted to deliver a letter to Securitas management at the Swedish multinational's Denver office yesterday. The letter urges Securitas to stand by its own Code of Conduct and respect the right of all Securitas employees to form and join trade unions of their choice.

Watch video of the delegation here:

As members of the delegation, Securitas officers who make as little as $9.50 an hour were turned away and told to contact Securitas personnel in Chicago.

Interestingly enough, in Chicago Securitas officers have a union. All Securitas officers in Chicago have access to a comprehensive union-sponsored training program and experienced officers are paid up to $11.60 an hour, have fully-paid family healthcare, sick days, paid holidays, and paid vacation.

Denver officers wonder: if Securitas can improve jobs and safety in Chicago, why can't they do it in Denver?

See a few pictures from the delegation here:

An Iraq War veteran, Allied Barton employee and SEIU Local 26 shop steward Kevin Chavis has worked in security for eight years. He now works at the Wells Fargo Building in downtown Minneapolis.

"Too many companies intimidate their workers and scare them," Kevin says. "...But workers have a lot more rights than they realize."

He enjoys being a shop steward for workers at his building, since with his efforts as a go-between. "Everybody knows what's going on with the union, the union knows what's going on where I work."

His co-workers "know that they have someone like myself who is working on their behalf so that they have a voice in the union," Kevin adds.

When he started working at an organized company, Kevin's wages went from $9/hour to $13/hour. Healthcare is better with the union plan, too. He took his son to the doctor for a problem and his insurance covered it. Without the insurance plan, he would have had to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket.

Kevin tells suburban security workers "It's worth your time to join the union because the union is not just some other separate entity. The union is every worker."

"And as workers, we deserve good livable wages, we deserve good insurance, good benefits, we deserve to take time off to do what we want with our lives."

Click here to receive Twin Cities email updates from SEIU Local 26.

Here in Massachusetts, we're very happy to say that on June 6, 2010, 52 more security officers joined SEIU.

A majority of Apollo officers working at biotech sites in Cambridge, as well as at another client's site in Allston, signed their union cards and won representation for themselves and their co-workers. Of these 52 new union members, most work at bio-tech facilities and are responsible for providing a high level of security for buildings that research and develop new pharmaceutical products every day.

These officers can now join their brothers and sisters that are working in Boston and Cambridge high-rise office towers. Together, they are making sure that they have representation on the job, a strong contract that protects their rights and benefits, and respect for the important work they do.

"I am proud to belong to SEIU Local 615, an organization dedicated to the protection and advancement of workers' rights," said Joe Salterio, an Apollo Security Officer.

Through its Stand for Security campaign, SEIU is continuing to organize the bio-tech facilities in Cambridge, and is working with Securitas officers to make sure they earn the same recognition and respect that others in the same profession have earned.

On July 27, I wrote about Securitas company policy of respecting the freedom of its officers to form unions.

It seems that the global giant might be a tad rusty on its own international guidelines.

Meet Ken Parkison, a Securitas officer at the USBank processing center in Denver. A United States veteran, Ken has worked in the security industry for nearly 20 years, the past eight with Securitas. Armed with a degree in criminal justice, Ken had never received a write-up--or any other disciplinary action--from his employer.

Ken has always been helpful to those he serves and those he works with. When Securitas stopped issuing pay stubs, for example, Ken used his own laptop computer to help coworkers check for payroll information on-line during breaks.

In April Securitas officers in Denver started forming a union in order to bring good jobs and more effective security to the city. Ken quickly joined the effort. "I've worked in both management and as an officer," Ken says. "I know from both sides that the security industry has got to change."

Ken started attending meetings with officers supportive of the union and also signed up officers on union cards at their houses and workplaces. He did not hide his support of his union from anyone, not even his supervisor, to whom he gave a pro-union leaflet in person.

On July 6, Ken was fired.

Securitas told Ken they let him go because he used his computer at work. Indeed the company released a memo on June 21 banning electronics at the site. So Ken, wanting to comply with the new company policy, stopped all use of his computer immediately. Securitas fired him anyway.

Ken believes that he was fired for his support of his union. The National Labor Relations Board is now investigating.

Meanwhile Ken should get his job back. It's right, it's fair, and it's company policy.

As a refresher course -- a refresher course on company policy, of course -- Ken's security officer friends are planning a national week of action. Stay tuned.

Things used to be a lot better for working people. I remember the street I lived on when I was growing up. It took just one parent working and everybody had everything they needed--and a little extra to go on a family vacation or whatever. My dad and my step-dad both got nice pensions when they retired from Honeywell.

Even in the earlier part of my 20-year security career I had it better. We used to have Kaiser benefits. I have seen none better than that. You paid five dollars for everything. I had surgery--five dollars. My daughter broke her toe--five dollars. My son fell on his head and got three or four stitches--five dollars.

All that is gone now. As a Securitas officer, if I had young kids today I would probably have to pay a lot of money for each injury because I know from experience the insurance doesn't cover much. I get paid just $10.50 an hour and with my $475 per month rent on my studio apartment, I am barely making ends meet. I drive a '78 Toyota with 223,000 miles on it to try to save money.

I stay in security because I like the managers, for the most part. My coworkers are great and I like the job. The work isn't usually too tough but you have to stay alert. At some posts--like at Safeway--I've had to stand all day, nine hours. That's cruel. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

You get to meet some nice people doing security. Once I protected Joe Coors for a day and he was great. At the end of the day he asked me how many there were in my family and I told him six. He gave me six tickets to the Rockies game with VIP parking and everything. We had a great time.

The security industry has got to change. I used to work as a scheduler for Securitas from 1995 to 1998. On average clients paid around $27 for security. Officers got about $10 of that. That's not fair. Most contracts are large profit--large margins. I've also been a manager before and I believe that if you pay more, you'll get better people.

I strongly support our union. The company has put out memos about how we shouldn't be talking union while working and of course I'm scared of being fired. But I've studied the law and I know that the law backs us. The truth is that you can get fired for any reason anyway. Just because the boss has a bad day, you could be fired.

Without a voice on the job, nothing--either pay or benefits--will change. But with our union, I'm a lot more positive about the future. I won't be rich but I'll be more secure. I'd probably buy a couch or maybe get a 1-bedroom instead of a studio. Our union has given me hope.

Note: On July 6, 2010 Ken Parkison alleged that his employment with Securitas was unlawfully terminated for his active support of his union. SEIU filed a charge of Unfair Labor Practices with the National Labor Relations Board on July 7. An investigation of Securitas is pending.