News & Updates

Security officers in Portland have always shown patience. For instance, “I have not had a raise in six years while watching my health insurance premiums triple,” says Officer Donna Watkins-Neff. And for the past two years–worker by worker–Portland officers have patiently built their union, now 500 strong. But as negotiations for their first-ever city-wide union … Read more

Tony Young was fired as a Securatex security officer at Duvall Residential Facility, Indianapolis after organizing his fellow workers to form a union. He helped them organize for the tools they to do their jobs like self-defense training, CPR training and adequate staffing. They’ve even had to buy their own handcuffs.

In an age where bugs and bacteria can travel around the world in a matter of hours, passengers and airport workers want to know that airports are healthy places. That’s why security officers who work for HSS at Denver International Airport took to the streets last month. A recent survey of officers–who, when facing illness, … Read more

First responders at Denver’s airport have been fighting for better sick day policies from HSS Inc. management as the flu season and the busy holiday flight season descends upon the mile high city. “Currently security guards are unable to call in sick without being given an “occurrence”, even with a note from the doctor and … Read more

Fred Anthony is a security officer in Minneapolis. He and thousands of other officers and janitors in the Twin Cities are fighting to build good jobs as they negotiate a new contract for people who protect and clean the area’s office buildings. Fred says: “The workers of this country are the people who … keep … Read more

Indianapolis security officers are speaking out about shoddy management at Securatex, a Chicago-based security company that has a contract to protect the Duvall Residential Center, a Marion County corrections facility. Here’s the bottom line (and we mean bottom): officers report having to buy their own handcuffs and then having to figure out on their own … Read more

Security officers in Portland, Oregon gathered on Veterans’ Day with local leaders including City Mayor-Elect Charlie Hales and Daryl Turner, President of the Portland Police Association, to highlight the low wages and poor training that many veterans face in the security industry. 41 percent of Portland’s security officers have served America in the armed forces. … Read more

Oracle Open World is one of the largest tech conferences in the world. But amid the high-dollar celebration, a group of security officers visited to draw attention to the hard work that they do for often very little money. Oracle has used the image of superheroes to market its products for some time, so a … Read more

Stand for Security–including front-line security officers and supporters–received a warm welcome in Philadelphia yesterday as the security industry’s biggest conference–the 58th Annual ASIS International Seminar and Exhibits–got underway. The officers presented their vision to raise standards in the industry and help create 1.1 million good jobs for the country. On hand were Stand for Security’s … Read more

This weekend, security professionals will begin to arrive in Philadelphia for the ASIS International 2012 security industry conference, which is themed “Driving Security’s Future”. Building a better future for the security industry–and the officers who are its driving force–has long been a top priority for the 35,000 security officers united in SEIU. Security officers and … Read more

Philadelphia’s PECO Energy Company, which hires U.S. Security Associates to provide security, claims to be “committed to the wellbeing of the communities we serve.” Last time we checked, security officers were a part of those communities. How’s their wellbeing? “I am struggling to make ends meet,” says Damon Harris, a security officer at U.S. Security … Read more

An Indianapolis reporter Tuesday was forced to leave a protest held by security officers at Wishard Memorial Hospital. The journalist, Kelly Lynch, was covering the event–featuring some 20 security officers and community supporters–for the city’s excellent newsweekly, NUVO. “A police officer walked up and asked for the person who worked for NUVO,” writes Lynch. “Once … Read more

For too long the economic contributions of the 99 percent have gone unrecognized. That’s why profit-creating security officers in the San Francisco Bay Area’s healthcare sector came together last week in Santa Rosa, California. “We are healthcare security officers fighting for improved safety for patients and hospital staff,” says officer Adam Green. “We are for … Read more

Since August 2011, private security officers at Sony Corporation’s North American Headquarters in New York City (550 Madison Avenue) have been demanding respect from their employer, U.S. Security Associates (USSA). Unfortunately, Sony has stood silent. Sign our petition to tell Sony to stop the abuse. Sony’s inaction is problematic. USSA’s record is riddled with allegations … Read more

With ten Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the city, Cincinnati has more Fortune 500s per capita than New York, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Life is good for the 1 percent in the Queen City. But how about for the 99 percent? “They always tell us there’s no money for raises, better healthcare, or the … Read more

It’s easy to get depressed by the 1 percent economy, which every day dispenses huge gains to the very richest–the one percent–but delivers stagnating wages, foreclosures, and layoffs to the rest of us. On Wednesday security officers in Los Angeles took to the streets to protect the 99 percent. For security officers, protection comes naturally. … Read more

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was born in 1780 with a simple idea–use our common wealth to maximize our common good. But these days state officials at the state-operated Massachusetts Information Technology Center (MITC) in Chelsea are using the common wealth–taxpayer money–not for the common good but rather the good of U.S. Security Associates–a company with … Read more

Silicon Valley security officers and their supporters rallied at the corporate headquarters of U.S. Security Associates this morning to call on the company to respect the right of its workers to form a union without management interference. “I’m here because I want to improve security and keep our officers and communities safe,” said Alex Villanueva, … Read more

From July 9 through July 16 security officers in nine U.S. locations will be exchanging their flashlights and badges for protest signs and marching shoes as they take to the streets to protect the 99%–the vast majority of Americans whose work makes our economy prosper. See the faces of these security officers, and offer them … Read more

Stand for Security examined the track record of U.S. Security Associates–the nation’s fourth-largest security company–in meeting state security licensing standards. The results proved troubling for clients of U.S. Security Associates and the public. Security, of course, is a vital public function. That’s why state officials often set licensing standards for security companies. Designed to protect … Read more

Four Washington D.C. public school security officers employed by U.S. Security Associates and its subcontractor Watkins Security Agency have brought a class action lawsuit against both companies for “intentional, willful, and unlawful acts.” Filed on May 18, the suit stems from U.S. Security Associates and Watkins’ alleged failure to pay officers for 30 minutes of … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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, … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

In the 7th issue of our newsletter, Unsafe With U.S. Security Associates, Stand For Security has learned that still another female employee of U.S. Security Associates has filed a lawsuit against her employer alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. You can download the newsletter as a PDF here.

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 … Read more

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, … Read more

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 … Read more

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, … Read more

Watch Lisa Garner tell her story in the featured video. 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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

Security officers across the country have U.S. Security Associates under surveillance. Officers working to raise standards with Stand For Security and local community members have been speaking out about the risks that U.S. Security Associates could present to clients, officers and the public across the country. Last week, Stand for Security members passed out leaflets … Read more

This week, Stand for Security was in Phoenix for the International Facility Management Association’s World Workplace Conference and Expo, the largest annual conference for facility management professionals. The conference aims to address strategies for managing facilities, which may include contracting with private security firms. Members of Stand for Security handed out information to educate conference … Read more

On the anniversary of a multi-million dollar lawsuit stemming from an employee’s sexual harassment complaints, U.S. Security Associates seems to be content to keep sweeping their harassment issues under the rug. One year ago today, U.S. Security Associates (USSA) – the fourth largest security firm in the country – was found liable by a federal … Read more

Below is the fourth issue of Unsafe With U.S. Security Associates, a newsletter to inform security directors, property managers, office building tenants and others about the business practices of U.S. Security Associates. You can also download it as a PDF here.

In October 2011, we published the third issue of Unsafe With U.S. Security Associates, a newsletter to inform security directors, property managers, office building tenants and others about the business practices of U.S. Security Associates. You can download it as a PDF here.

On Saturday, security officers who protect New York City were honored at a Security Recognition Ceremony hosted by SEIU Local 32BJ with NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. The ceremony served to honor the men and women who lost their lives on September 11th, and to award recognition to private security officers who have excelled in the … Read more

When Denver Police were recently called to a domestic disturbance on the campus of Colorado Heights University, and subsequently fired several rounds at a suspect running on foot, there was just one security officer on duty protecting the entire 74-acre campus. Unfortunately, this is standard policy for Colorado Heights University, and after witnessing too many … Read more

At a time when many workers are facing deep cuts in pay and benefits — leaving families, communities, and local businesses to suffer the consequences — union security officers at Harvard University have won significant job improvements. With the support of Harvard students, dining hall workers, and Cambridge community leaders, on September 23 Harvard’s 270 … Read more

In September 2011, we published the second issue of Unsafe With U.S. Security Associates, a newsletter to inform security directors, property managers, office building tenants and others about the business practices of U.S. Security Associates. You can download it as a PDF here.

Security officers and supporters have been speaking out against sexual harassment at one of the top security firms in the country, U.S. Security Associates, Inc. This week in Orlando, members of Stand for Security attended the ASIS International conference, an annual convention for the security industry featuring an exhibit hall, seminars and special events. We … Read more