News & Updates

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August 10, 2011

Even After Paying $4 Million, USSA Still Showing “Cavalier Attitude” Toward Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Despite paying more than $4 million in the past year for judgments and consent orders arising from sexual harassment and worker retaliation,…

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August 2, 2011

Nationwide Action Calls Attention to U.S. Security Associates’ Record of Sexual Harassment

After hearing alarming evidence of sexual harassment at U.S. Security Associates (USSA), activists began a public education campaign to raise awareness about…

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July 28, 2011

How Low Can U.S. Security Associates Go?

For U.S. Security Associates, the troubled national security firm, the bar just keeps getting lower. We’ve mentioned before how the company is…

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July 27, 2011

DC Mayor Withdraws Support for Security Firm

In a victory for the Washington DC community, Mayor Vincent Gray recently withdrew the contract of security firm U.S. Security Associates, Inc….

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July 26, 2011

Miami Security Officers Vote to Authorize Strike Over Unfair Wages

Security officers in Miami, Florida, have voted to authorize a lawful strike unless their employer, Kent Security, raises their wages to comply…

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July 6, 2011

Safe and Secure: A Path Toward Safer Buildings and Stronger Communities for Indianapolis

The private security industry is large, fast-growing, and global. Unfortunately, it is also plagued by low wages, high turnover, poor training and…

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June 9, 2011

USSA Failure is Not an Option for Washingtonians

Since 2009 U.S. Security Associates (USSA) has provided security at Washington D.C.’s public buildings and schools. Now the Council of the District…

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June 1, 2011

Should USSA/Watkins Be Protecting D.C. Schoolchildren?

Congratulations to Washington reporter Jeffrey Anderson for bringing to light the poor track record of U.S. Security Associates (USSA) and its subcontractor…

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May 9, 2011

Miami Security Officers to Kent Security: Stop Cheating Workers and Taxpayers

A group of private security officers in Miami could receive more than $100,000 in unlawfully withheld pay after filing a complaint against…

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May 2, 2011

Click Here to Fill Out Your Bargaining Survey

Now it’s time to start bargaining a contract so we can join with the 1000 Union Officers in Minneapolis and St Paul….

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April 19, 2011

Pittsburgh Security Officers Seek Higher Training Standards

Security officers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have been working to raise standards and improve their jobs, highlighting the need for better training in…

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Denver Security Officer Speaks Out For Better Jobs at Citywide Rally
April 7, 2011

Denver Security Officer Speaks Out For Better Jobs at Citywide Rally

In Denver, Colorado, labor unions, activists and community members came together this week to rally in support of workers’ rights and to…

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March 29, 2011

How the Freedom to Form Unions is Transforming the Security Industry, Strengthening the Middle Class and Creating Good Jobs

There is a strong debate happening across the country these days about the role of unions in the economy. But as lawmakers…

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March 17, 2011

Exposed to blood-borne pathogens! Investigate Universal Protection Service

Exposed to blood-borne pathogens! Investigate Universal Protection Service To: North County Transit District Board Launch an urgent investigation into reports that your…

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February 23, 2011

Stephen Murray: “We need to educate people and let them know they have a voice.”

Stephen Murray is interested in making sure the economy works for hard-working people, and he’s starting where he lives and works in…

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February 22, 2011

Joshua Rojas: “It’s a day-by-day existence and forming a union can change that.”

Joshua Rojas works the overnight shift at the Harris County Probation Office in Houston, Texas as a security officer. His role is…

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February 17, 2011

Sharon Robertson: “We need to care for one another.”

Sharon Robertson is a full-time security officer at the Metro Rail Operation Center. Her job is to keep Houston safe. She has…

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February 14, 2011

Janet Brown: “I’m organizing with my co-workers to bring respect and accountability to my job.”

As a security officer, I protect staff, patients and visitors at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For the past 8 years…

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February 11, 2011

Mike Delgado: “They need to respect us, and they won’t unless we stand together.”

I’m a security officer at one of the most active sites for my company — Eastridge Mall, a mall that is located…

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February 9, 2011

Kobra Oden: “We work hard keeping Philadelphia safe…”

I work as a security officer for a private security company protecting Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. My starting salary with…

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February 2, 2011

Pittsburgh City Council Calls for Commission to Address Lack of Good Jobs and Inadequate Training in the City’s Security Industry

Members of the City Council in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are calling for a new commission to address the need to improve the jobs…

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January 28, 2011

Philadelphia Community Leaders Celebrate the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Stand Up For Economic Justice in the Security Industry

At a rally held in Philadelphia on Martin Luther King Day, elected leaders and community members joined security officers to kick off…

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January 18, 2011

Community Rallies for Better Jobs and Public Safety in Jersey City

“Security officers who protect employees at multibillion-dollar corporations should be able to afford to provide for their families,” said Bill O’Dea, Chairman…

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January 11, 2011

When Basic Training Isn’t Enough

When considering three different security officers, one stationed at a federal government building, one at a chemical waste plant and another at…

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January 4, 2011

Why It’s Important To Vote Yes for Our Union

Below is a letter from security officer John Vinje to suburban security officers in the Twin Cities area. To My Fellow Suburban…

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December 21, 2010

Indianapolis Leaders Introduce “Safe And Secure” Bill to Improve Training for Security Officers, Make City Safer

As security officers across the country are calling for improved standards in the security industry, elected leaders in Indianapolis are proposing an…

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December 15, 2010

City-County Council Minority Leader, Sheriff-Elect and Private Security Officer speak about the need to improve training standards in Indianapolis

Last Wednesday, December 8th, politicians, community leaders and private security officers took a stand for better security in Indianapolis. City-County Council Minority…

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November 19, 2010

Emory Hall: “With a union you don’t fight alone.”

G4S Security officer Emory Hall has been a member of SEIU Local 26 since September 3, 2010, when Emory and his co-workers…

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November 12, 2010

Veterans and Community Leaders Hold Press Conference About the Need for Good Jobs in Indianapolis’ Security Industry

In Indianapolis this week, local veterans were joined by faith and community leaders for a press conference about improving security jobs in…

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Cincinnati Vet: “There’s nothing I care about more than my community and my fellow man.”

This week in Cincinnati, Ohio, veterans, armed service personnel and local community leaders held a press conference calling for improved jobs in…

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November 1, 2010

Security Officers In Denver are Standing Up, Fighting Back, and Making Their Voices Heard

Why We’re Standing for Security in Colorado We are part of 35,000 private security officers united in SEIU, the nation’s largest security…

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October 22, 2010

An Overwhelming Response Against Irresponsible Security Contractors

Over the last few days, we’ve been asking you to take a stand against irresponsible security contractors. The response has been overwhelming….

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October 19, 2010

U.S. Security Associates: Not Up to The Task?

When you see a security officer as you drop your child off at school, catch a flight at the airport or watch…

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October 18, 2010

Harrison Bullard: “We won job protection, even when security companies change.”

“I’ve worked for non-union companies,” security officer and SEIU Local 26 member Harrison Bullard says, “and they were… okay. But there was…

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October 4, 2010

Donna Alexander: “Belonging to a union will benefit you immensely.”

“We all do better when we work together as one voice,” says Securitas security officer at and SEIU Local 26 member Donna…

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September 24, 2010

Roger Schutt: “We can organize for a better life.”

Talk to Roger Schutt for a few minutes about organizing security officers in the suburbs, and you gain an appreciation of why…

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September 14, 2010

Security Officers from Around the Country Join SEIU Local 26 Members and Community Allies to Organize the Suburbs

Security officers from around the country are joining SEIU Local 26 members and community allies to organize suburban security officers in the…

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September 9, 2010

Keep America Safe With Stronger Standards for Security Officers

There are over one million private security officers in America today–more than double the number of police officers. These private security officers…

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September 8, 2010

Renita Whicker: “2000 officers will have a great impact.”

ABM security officer and SEIU Local 26 member Renita Whicker knows first-hand what a great union contract can do for officers who’ve…

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August 30, 2010

Eric Meade: “I want security to be a proud and honored profession.”

“I’m voting for the union because I want security to be a proud and honored profession,” says Eric Meade, a security officer….

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Downtown Ambassadors Win Union Via Majority Sign-up Election

Having just won a union through a majority-sign up election, 60 of Minneapolis’ Block by Block “Downtown Ambassadors” have become members of…

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August 27, 2010

D.C. City Council Calls For Removal Of Contracted Security Company

The largest security company in Washington, D.C. is putting our nation’s capital at risk, according to a letter of concern signed by…

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August 23, 2010

Kevin Chavis: “Workers have a lot more rights than they realize.”

An Iraq War veteran, Allied Barton employee and SEIU Local 26 shop steward Kevin Chavis has worked in security for eight years….

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August 13, 2010

Victory For Apollo Officers in Cambridge, MA

Here in Massachusetts, we’re very happy to say that on June 6, 2010, 52 more security officers joined SEIU. A majority of…

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August 2, 2010

Why We’re Standing for Security in Cincinnati

Security officers are the first responders during catastrophes, standing on the front lines every day to keep Cincinnati safe. Yet while they…

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Why We’re Standing for Security in Indianapolis

Security officers are the first responders during catastrophes, standing on the front lines every day to keep Indianapolis safe. Yet while they…

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Torrey Nelson: "I wish I could do more. I need a second job so I can keep up and save for our future."
July 30, 2010

Torrey Nelson: “I wish I could do more. I need a second job so I can keep up and save for our future.”

Torrey Nelson has worked as a security officer for almost three years without a raise. He supports his three children and his…

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Sabra Mahrling: "I work hard and I'm always early. What I'd like to see is decent insurance."

Sabra Mahrling: “I work hard and I’m always early. What I’d like to see is decent insurance.”

Sabra Mahrling works the second shift as a security officer at a computer company in Indianapolis. Although she has eight years of…

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Hugh Abel: "Whether it's low wages or the big corporate bailouts, workers these days are getting shafted."

Hugh Abel: “Whether it’s low wages or the big corporate bailouts, workers these days are getting shafted.”

I’m 58-years old and I remember a time when one person could support a family by working one job. That time is…

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Francine Beal: "If we all come together, they'll have to listen. And then we can make this profession into a career."

Francine Beal: “If we all come together, they’ll have to listen. And then we can make this profession into a career.”

“For me, getting a union at work is a question of survival,” says Francine. “I get paid just $8 an hour and…

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