Jimena Rojas

Diana loved her job protecting the people and property at Amazon headquarters in Seattle. “I liked helping people and worked well with my co-workers. I had flexibility to pursue my computer science degree. It was good,” she says. But the longer she worked for Security Industry Specialists (SIS), the contractor hired to provide security at … Read more

The more than 800 security officers who guard Amazon headquarters in downtown Seattle are directly employed by Security Industry Specialists (SIS)—a contractor that has come under fire for its treatment of employees. Officers say they haven’t seen a cost of living raise in four years, experience favoritism and lack of clear policies, and most recently, unfair … Read more

This week, dozens of downtown Detroit security officers, Council Members and community supporters joined together to call for respect, better wages and improved training from the security contractors that employ them. In particular, the rally called out Advance Security/USSA for creating sub-standard working conditions for officers. Right now, more than 300 Detroit officers, including those … Read more

Jamila Culcleasure was born and raised in Seattle, where she currently lives near her parents and siblings. In high school, she would spend time with the school security officers—talking about their role in service and safety. That led to her joining the local Police Explores Club—a youth program designed to educate teenagers interested in law … Read more

Voting “Yes!” overwhelmingly, Portland security officers have won a new four-year contract that provides higher wages, better healthcare, more safety, and more job security to hundreds of Oregon workers. “I’m really proud of our union and our contract. In these tough times, sticking together to win pay raises, healthcare gains and safety language makes a … Read more

Ifrah Elmi spends her nights cleaning for one of the most successful retail companies in the world, Amazon headquarters in downtown Seattle. “Its hard work—vacuuming and mopping all the conference rooms and kitchens,” she says. The campus is huge and it’s a lot to cover. “Your legs and feet swell from moving so much, and … Read more

For the last 24 years, Jesus Garcia has spent his nights making the rounds and checking in on his co-workers. He is a janitorial foreman who cleans one of the most successful tech companies in the world—Amazon headquarters in downtown Seattle. “It’s a hard job what we do. Hard physically,” he says describing the work. … Read more

Last week dozens of security officers, union janitors and supporters paid a visit to Amazon headquarters in Seattle demanding the tech giant hold the companies they contract with accountable. Like the outsourced janitorial service, the security work at Amazon is contracted out. Which means the 800 non-union security officers guarding the tech giant’s headquarters are … Read more

Desiree Johnson wakes up at 4am each morning and takes a long bus ride to Amazon HQ in Seattle. It’s where she works as a security officer, protecting people and property. “I love the work—meeting talented people, enjoying my fellow officers and co-workers,” she says. “And employees are allowed to bring dogs to work. It … Read more

Seven Washington has seen a lot. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, he graduated high school and immediately joined the Army. “I wanted to see the world and get trained on important skills,” he says. During 15 years of active duty he was deployed to Iraq three times and Afghanistan as well. Despite his years … Read more

Gia Shepard is a long way from home. Born and raised in Brooklyn, she found herself moving 3,000 miles away to help her family out in Seattle. She is the oldest of eight sisters and brothers, and when her mom passed a year ago, Gia picked up and traveled across the country to care for … Read more

Hundreds of Muslim security employees and supporters joined together for massive and emotionally powerful “Pray-In” in front of Amazon’s sprawling campus in Seattle. Although Amazon strongly condemned President Trump’s illegal Muslim immigration ban and also accommodates the prayer needs of high-paid tech employees, participants called on the company to address alleged incidents of unfair treatment over religion … Read more

On Friday February 17th, hundreds of Muslim security employees, tech workers, interfaith groups, labor unions and supporters joined together for a massive PRAY-IN at the tech giant’s sprawling campus to encourage Amazon, and the companies with which they contract, to create a fair prayer policy for its diverse workforce. “I’m not just here for me … Read more

Amazon has come out swinging against President Trump’s ban on immigration from predominantly Muslim-majority nations. They went above and beyond to fulfill the company’s values by joining Washington State’s legal case to protect the rights of immigrants and refugees and recently addressed employees assuring them “from the very beginning, Amazon has been committed to equal rights, tolerance … Read more

More than 3,000 security officers who protect Silicon Valley’s booming tech industry just won their union. On Saturday January 28th, security officers, elected officials and community supporters joined together to celebrate the victory. Silicon Valley is home to a thriving local economy and claims some of the world’s most successful tech companies.  Despite this, many … Read more

Despite Amazon’s record profits, the security officers who guard the successful tech giant’s headquarters in Seattle have not seen a raise in four years. And this month, the officers at Amazon–who are employed by the union-busting security company Security Industry Specialists (SIS)–presented their employer with a petition signed by more than 300 officers calling for … Read more

More than a year after losing Twitter and two years after losing Google, the contractor responsible for providing security at Facebook’s U.S-based data centers will be laying off workers at the end of this month, as the popular networking website shifts security companies. Security Industry Specialists Inc., a California-based boutique company that provides security for … Read more

Pam Louie is a security officer born and raised in Portland, Oregon. It’s where her mom grew up and where her grandparents settled when they emigrated from China. “My grandparents owned a grocery store and worked hard to raise eleven children here,” she says. “They didn’t have it easy.” One of the children was kidnapped at … Read more

Quick Read: Essag Hassan has been a security officer in the Seattle area for more than seven years. He works for the company Security Industry Specialists (SIS), guarding one of the most profitable and recognizable retailers in the world—AMAZON. As a Muslim, Essag was happy to hear that his company had religious accommodations—as required by … Read more

Jesse Lepley has been an officer for more than a year now. At 6’5” and 370lbs, he’s the ‘biggest’ officer at his site. Which is a good thing, as he protects a dangerous location. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Jesse initially wanted to join the military, but he sustained spinal injuries while working construction. Security … Read more

Sabrina Martin is a proud and hard-working security officer living in the Seattle area. She is surrounded by her close knit family–her mother, brother, cousins, sons, daughters-in-law and three grandchildren, including the baby who just turned 7 weeks old. Originally from Massachusetts, Sabrina moved out west in the early 90’s. She worked a manufacturing job … Read more

Meadallean is a security officer from South King County in Seattle. It’s where she grew up and where she lives now, raising her 6 year old son. Meadallean started working as an officer for a company called Security Industry Specialists (SIS). And they placed her at a site guarding AMAZON–one of the most successful, recognizable … Read more

Mac Young is a proud United States Air Force Veteran—he followed in the footsteps of his six older brothers by enlisting and served almost 18 years active duty and the reserves. He was there in Desert Storm as an aircraft maintenance technician and resource manager—often wearing several hats and performing many tasks. Mac is originally … Read more

Security officer Yasmeen Munoz-Torres is a long way from home. Born in Chicago before graduating high school in Miami, she now lives in Seattle, Washington. Yasmeen moved here two years ago ready to make her mark. But when she landed in Seattle, she had a rough go. A minimum wage job had her working crazy … Read more

David had a full scholarship to play football for a division one school. He played cornerback and can still remember his best play—a one-handed catch for an interception. And yes, they went on to win that game. He’s been a top athlete all his life, but today, at 25 years old, he’s had to give … Read more

The last we spoke, Navy Veteran Fatima Sheikh had filed a wage theft claim with the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement—for hours worked that her employer didn’t pay her for. At the time, Fatima was making $11 an hour at Universal Protection Services. She scraped by using money she had saved while in the … Read more

Military veteran and security officer Jeremy Birchwood speaks about the importance of the Presidents Executive Order on Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces—which will help identify companies with serious labor law violations. The federal government should make sure the workers employed by its contracts have safe workplaces and fair pay.

Ken Wood’s family has always been willing to sacrifice for their country. His older brother was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and Ken signed up as quickly as he could after graduating from high school, spending more than 30 years in the military–with the Army and National Guard. When Ken left the service and … Read more

Eduardo Sanchez is ambitious. At age 21, he has already held the responsibilities of an assistant security supervisor for over a year. “I keep everything together,” he says. “I’ve been in charge of 7 or 8 other officers, done the schedules, programmed the tenants’ key fobs, done the paperwork for the elevators and the fire … Read more

Troubled New Mexico-based security firm Akal Security recently lost Federal Court contracts in the 3rd and 12th circuits– which covers Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC. Akal Security, a privately owned security company, has a long and concerning track record of investigation, litigation, and settlement around fraudulent business practices. In 2011, Akal Security disclosed … Read more

Last week marked the 4th anniversary of the massive firing of hundreds of Paraguayan officers by one of the largest security companies in Latin America—Prosegur. The 327 officers were participating in a lawful strike over wages and safety demands. The officers were fired the day they returned to work expecting to resume negotiations in good … Read more

Idris Aziz has seen—and created—plenty of changes in his 22 years as a security officer in Los Angeles. He’s also gained a wealth of experience, which he uses to keep people safe on his hospital’s graveyard shift. “In the hospital, especially the E.R., emergencies are the nature of the work,” he says. “Our role is … Read more

New Mexico-based security firm AKAL Security recently was eligible to take over the screening operation at San Francisco International Airport. They didn’t get past the screeners. “When the TSA screening contract at SFO went out to bid, 1,000 good jobs were on the line and the safety of our airport and community was at stake. … Read more

Tiffany Dinkins has spent the last twelve years applying her experience in the U.S. Army to protecting people and property as a security officer. She values the discipline she learned in the army. “We’re set up to have a certain line of defense,” she says. “It makes you more observant. You’re marked to be able … Read more

In the 19 years that Linda Sporer has been a security officer, not only has she developed skills as a security professional, she’s also helped organize her union, won a contract for Portland security officers, and won a $15 minimum wage for all city of Portland contracts. Linda has also beat back cancer—twice. “My husband … Read more

SEIU’s Responsible Contractor Guide downgraded First Alarm Security’s standing to “RED” in California this month – its lowest possible rating. First Alarm, which also does business under the name First Security Services, employs around 1200 security officers in Northern California. First Alarm’s RED designation informs responsible property managers and owners throughout California that the company … Read more

Tonie Wilson became a security officer more than 15 years ago—not long before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. At that time, she protected a university on the west side of Los Angeles. “We went on high alert,” she says. “We scanned everyone who came to campus; checked trunks, underneath and inside all vehicles; and only allowed … Read more

Trishelle Cardenas has provided security in medical settings for three years. As a weapons screener, she recently stopped a gun from entering the large hospital in Los Angeles County where she works. She takes pride in her training and customer service skills, but still recognized the challenges of the work. “We deal with a lot … Read more

Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry shared these thoughts on social media. We thought it was worth sharing them here, as well. “As a human being, I am dumfounded once again — standing shocked and numb as I hear the details on TV. My heart and hands are extended to our entire Orlando … Read more

Los Angeles security officer Marquette Gibson retired after 42 years of full time work. After working in the security industry for 21 years, and in a county office for twenty years before that, it’s time for Marquette to benefit from her decades of hard work. But her story isn’t that simple. “I didn’t get a … Read more

Security officers at SEIU Local 1 and 32BJ won new union contracts that will bring thousands of officers above $15 and enhance many benefits, including retirement programs, in both cities. In Chicago, security officers won additional investments in their work and their communities following the deadliest first quarter their city has seen in years. More … Read more

At a recent Amazon shareholder meeting, Seattle security officer Bryce Walker of SEIU Local 6 spoke in support of a shareholder resolution introduced by the global non-profit organization Sum of Us. Sum of Us works to improve corporate accountability around the world. The resolution would have forced Amazon to publish information on its human rights … Read more

Fatima Sheikh became a security officer as soon as she finished her military service. “What I do now is exactly what we did when we were in port. In the Navy, we always stood watch. We had training in riot control, weapons training, how to de-escalate situations with hostile people. We had annual and semi-annual … Read more

Chris Rhudy has been a security officer for over a decade. He’s worked for four San Diego security contractors in that time, and takes the quality of his work very seriously. As a security professional, he’s taken it upon himself to get training in Healthcare Security, First Aid, CPR, and Emergency Response. “Training standards are way … Read more

Washington, D.C. security officers ratified a new four-year agreement with the city’s largest security contractors, covering nearly 3,000 commercial security officers who are members of 32BJ SEIU. By the end of the new contract, most officers will earn at least $17.54 an hour. “I’m happy about this contract because it will help us a lot with … Read more

In the wake of rising violence in Chicago and the deadliest first quarter the city has seen in almost two decades, Chicago Black Caucus Chair Ald. Roderick Sawyer, Progressive Caucus Chair Ald. Scott Waguespack and Ald. Rick Muñoz joined hundreds of downtown security officers and supporters to rally for god jobs and a safer Chicago. … Read more

a company that contracts to protect real estate for large corporations such as the Irvine Company. Working for SMS, Donyell was only paid $10 an hour with no health care from his company. In order to take care of his disabled son, Donyell was forced to rely on food stamps and Medicaid. Now Donyell has … Read more

Security officers marched PAST some of the iconic buildings they usually protect in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The security officers, who are members of 32BJ SEIU, rallied for higher wages, affordable family health insurance and higher safety standards. Security officers across the East Coast have organized with 32BJ in the last two decades … Read more

After two managers of a federal security contractor were sentenced in criminal cases, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Inspector General, and the FBI coordinated an investigation into Akal Security’s subsidiary, Coastal International Security. The company agreed to pay $1.65 million to resolve criminal and civil allegations that the … Read more

The subcontracted, temp and independent contractor economy is becoming the new normal. Now a new report on Silicon Valley shows that even so-called “white collar” tech jobs are becoming less stable. Service workers, who were among the first to see their jobs contracted out, are now facing impossible decisions. Average annual pay for blue-collar contracted … Read more