News & Updates

Gerald Walker loves protecting people. “I like making people feel safe, we’re giving a service and I have pride in what I do,” he says. “People who meet me remember me.” Indeed, the charismatic personal trainer has a striking presence. “I treat people the way I’d like to be treated.” Yet Gerald feels a lack … Read more

In the latest victory for working people in the Fight for $15, security officers fought together in their union to raise wages for 2,000 Minnesota families. The officers ratified a new contract that will bring every security officer in SEIU Local 26 up to at least $15 in two years. “Going from $10 to $15 … Read more

__ testified in front of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. “By associating with an irresponsible security company like SIS, the NFL could push back all the gains we have fought for over the past ten years,” said USWW member and security officer Mike Malley. “It’s frightening that protecting human lives should come down to … Read more

were among those speaking out for greater accountability, as City Council debated granting Amazon access to a public alley for its newest Seattle development project. Amazon contracts with SIS for security at its headquarters campus, yet SIS officers are provided very little real security themselves. “It was very frustrating working with supervisors, watch commanders, and … Read more

, security officers and janitors are leading the charge to rebalance the economy. Members of SEIU Local 26, who are mostly people of color, marched through Minneapolis’s extensive downtown skyway system. The march was part of a larger people’s agenda to take control of the state’s economy and put resources into local communities. “We are … Read more

U.S. Security officers and janitors outside the Spanish consulate in September Security officers organizing with the SINTRAVALORES union in Colombia announced a breakthrough agreement in one of the most difficult and dangerous places for workers to organize. The actions of brave security officers in South America and across the globe contributed to a huge victory … Read more

This Veteran’s Day, we honor and supports our vets by lifting their voices. It’s not enough that we say ‘thank you.’ We must ensure our U.S. veterans return home to good jobs, and can provide fully for the families and communities they worked so hard to protect. Hear from U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Robert Edwards … Read more

After 27 years in the Air Force, Jimmy Moore is well-equipped to think and react quickly – and as part of a team – in life-threatening situations. “A gentleman had a heart attack. We called emergency services. It took one minute to recognize the problem and 30 seconds to react. He was taken to the … Read more

Edward Wright still uses the skills he gained in the six years he spent in the U.S. Army, even though he completed his service in 1967. He says it’s these skills that make veterans such good security officers, and that they are good at following orders. More importantly, Edward sees veterans as key leaders in … Read more

U.S. Army veteran Troy Williams is a security officer in New York City’s financial industry and a member of 32BJ SEIU. With 18 years in the security industry, Troy has seen his pay increase from $8 to $18 per hour, and now has guaranteed raises each year.

Terry Wade served in the U.S. Army for twelve years, and has another ten years’ experience in the security industry. He works to organize his union, SEIU Local 1, and meet workers from Eastern Europe and South America.

Mike Montalbano is a U.S. Army veteran with ten years in the private security industry in Silicon Valley, paid only $13.96 per hour. He is the primary caregiver for his 92-year-old mother and is organizing his union in Silicon Valley.

In one of the biggest victories for working people in Pennsylvania this year, 1,000 Pittsburgh security officers won their first-ever union contract with nine security companies, including quality healthcare and wage increases.

Security officers brought their Fight for $15 campaign to ASIS International, the largest conference of security industry professionals, calling for good jobs for veterans in the security industry.

Tracison Casarrubias, a former security officer on Amazon’s South Lake Union campus, calls on Amazon to reinvent its workplace culture and address larger issues important to Seattle, including good jobs, transit, and affordable housing.

SEIU’s Responsible Contracting Program has downgraded UPS from “green” to “yellow” status in California after security officers organized for two years without resolution. UPS is preparing to acquire Guardsmark, LLC.

Security officers at the University of Pittsburgh, paid less than $9 per hour, rallied to improve jobs and safety. They are seeking a collective bargaining agreement to implement a new citywide training law.

Security officer Idrissa Camara, a member of 32BJ SEIU, was killed protecting federal workers at 201 Varick in Manhattan. SEIU mourned his loss and pledged to continue fighting for security officers on the front lines.

Indianapolis security officers are leading the way to good, stable jobs in their communities. Denise Randle, paid just $10 an hour before the new contract, joined security officers across the country in unionizing for better wages.

Universal Protection Service (UPS) is expected to acquire Guardsmark LLC. Moody’s considers portions of the investment to be “speculative” and “high risk,” while Silicon Valley security officers struggle with stolen wages and retaliation.

Ben Hartley and Liz Volpe, a married couple of security officers in Silicon Valley, live in a crowded three-bedroom home and struggle to afford medical care for asthma and leg numbness. They are joining a union to raise standards.

Security officers who work for AlliedBarton in fifteen metro areas have united with SEIU. AlliedBarton is being acquired by Wendel, a French private equity company with a history of responsible, long-term investment.

José Milan, a former UPS security officer and immigrant studying to become a social worker, fought back after the company failed to pay him for 16 extra hours worked. He filed a claim with the state Department of Labor Standards and Enforcement.

Kalpana Mishra has protected the same warehouse for ten years. She has worked for four different security contractors in that time, and has only received one raise. The single mother of two says her net pay is $1,400 a month, even though she works full time for Universal Protection Service (UPS). After paying $1,000 a … Read more

in Portland, Oregon. “Bargaining our first contract was challenging, but by taking action together and working with the Laborers union and elected allies, we were able to win a great contract.” That contract, which covers 55 Inter-Con security officers, was ratified this weekend with 93 percent support. And it’s easy to see why. Chuck says: … Read more

Daniel Santos has been a security officer for more than 10 years, and loves working at Almaden Plaza in downtown San Jose. Daniel has been protecting the office complex for five and half years. “We have a family atmosphere, and even celebrate the clients’ birthdays with them. Knowing the clients motivates us to provide the … Read more

Security officer Michael Johnson and his co-workers protect some of the world’s most successful tech companies, but struggle just to get by. He brought their stories to the people who make real estate decisions for the largest pension fund in the U.S. The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has developed productive working relationships with … Read more

Photo by Alex Garland Days after Seattle City Councilmembers called for Amazon to hire a responsible security contractor, security officers joined corporate responsibility advocates, workplace diversity advocates such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, elected leaders such as Councilmember Harrell and leaders of Seattle’s movements for affordable housing and public transit inside and outside of Amazon’s … Read more

Ross Schmidt knows how to manage his money. “I’m frugal. I was raised in a single-parent household. I have two roommates that help to pay my mortgage. My biggest expense is technology. I don’t smoke, drink, or eat out a lot.” So the raises that Ross and 1,000 of his co-workers won by forming a … Read more

Louis Medina, a proud member of SEIU 32BJ, took the Wall Street Journal on a preview tour of the brand new observatory at One World Trade Center. Louis showed his expansive views in a video, and described what it feels like to work there and be a part of history. Louis looks forward to telling … Read more

has settled allegations that all nine members of City Council highlighted in a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos last year. Amazon responded that it would “carefully monitor the NLRB’s investigation.” Now that SIS has settled the allegations of illegal retaliation, Councilmembers want Amazon to take action. A new letter delivered to Amazon headquarters by … Read more

Security officers working for U.S. Security Associates at the Trenton School District marched to the Board of Education meeting on Monday. The Board was considering a new security contractor, and the officers sought assurance that the new contractor would break the cycle of disrespectful employment practices they say they’ve experienced under U.S. Security. “We look … Read more

As a new mother, New York security officer Melissa Colon thinks about what she needs to support her 1-year-old daughter, Cianna Lee. Good wages, healthcare, job security, and paid time off top her list. And every time she thinks about these things, she reflects on how being a union member allows her to provide them. … Read more

Diva Moyet credits her union involvement with giving her more free time. “When I first started, the wages were lower, and I used to cut hair at home to make up for my low salary. Over time, as my wages have gone up, that’s shifted and I don’t have to depend on the hair cut … Read more

Amazon brushed it off, explaining that SIS “strongly denied that it had engaged in any inappropriate behavior.” Now SIS has finally settled the allegations that City Council highlighted for Amazon last summer. The complaint by the National Labor Relations Board alleged that: In the settlement, SIS agreed to revise its policies and let security officers … Read more

Security officers working for U.S. Security rally at Hudson County Community College The security officers who protect Hudson County Community College (HCCC) in New Jersey are employed by one of the country’s largest security contractors, but have to fight for their basic rights. The officers have already taken their employer, U.S. Security Associates, to task … Read more

Photo by Robert Durell The first time Brianna Morris noticed her paycheck was wrong was in November. That check started a months-long cycle of agonizing over mistakes by her employer, Universal Protection Service (UPS). Brianna says her checks were wrong far more often than they were right, and that each check was missing between 9 … Read more

After months of activity by Pittsburgh security officers forming their first-ever market-wide union with SEIU 32BJ, the Pittsburgh City Council unanimously passed a new security officer training law. Security officers, maintenance staff and janitors will be required to receive training from a school certified by the city fire bureau. The training covers the role of … Read more

Thirty-year-old Charles Ware is always thinking about how to make things better – for his family, his co-workers, and his community. That’s why he applied to work for Universal Protection Service as a union security officer. “The union was the draw that made me take the job. I saw a significant difference in the wages … Read more

Federal armed security officers working for Alante Security Group are the latest to join SEIU 32BJ. In their first-ever union contract, the officers won guaranteed wage and benefit increases, respect on the job, and quality, affordable health care. By sticking together in their union, security officers now have the right to sit across the table … Read more

Statement by SEIU United Service Workers West President David Huerta: Facebook’s decision to raise standards for contracted workers is a direct result of the powerful movement being built by security officers and other service workers in Silicon Valley. We look forward to working with good corporate citizens, like Facebook, who are responding to security officers’ … Read more

The Reverend Jesse Jackson returned to Silicon Valley yesterday to support security officers who are taking the next step in the fight for economic inclusion. Google and Apple made headlines recently by cutting ties with an irresponsible security contractor, in order to provide good jobs for the security officers at their campuses. Michael Johnson has … Read more

I worked in fast food before I switched to security and I know what it is like to struggle day-to-day in those jobs. Most of us [security officers] have either experienced this for ourselves or know people who work in fast food right now. One day a few months ago I ran into one of … Read more

that it violated the city’s paid sick leave law. OCR Director Patricia Lally told the Seattle Times that she believes the company didn’t properly notify employees of the law, which is designed to guarantee their right to take paid sick leave when they or a family member are sick. Yet SIS says they are “unaware … Read more

With responsibility for the safety of students, professors, and the community at large, security officers at Hudson County Community College should be the last people whose employer would short them of sleep between shifts. But the New York Times reported that security officer Ramsey Montanez, who protects Hudson County Community College in New Jersey, is … Read more

Government officials increasingly rely on private security companies to police public facilities. But in the absence of national mechanisms of accountability, who will police the security companies? Ultimately this responsibility falls to the government officials who hire the security companies. When hiring security contractors, public officials expect reliable performance, trustworthy owners and executives, and experienced, … Read more

When officers form a union, they have the ability to solve workplace problems, which increases morale and decreases turnover. Security officers work through their union to win decent wages and fair treatment, which leads to a sense of pride, loyalty and cohesion among officers. When officers are treated as security professionals, both performance and longevity … Read more

Combined with better wages and benefits, comprehensive training programs can further reduce turnover and develop the skills of high-performing security professionals. Rigorous employer/union training programs are especially important in today’s lax regulatory environment–which sets few standards for security officers–and in failed markets where contractors slash training budgets in order to compete on cost. For those … Read more

The “Great Recession” and its aftermath continue to impact our nation’s economy. For many U.S. businesses, demand has shrunk while costs have remained constant or even risen. Meanwhile, competition is as grueling as ever. But as tough as the current economic climate is, the world we operate in is even tougher. Every day, businesses face … Read more