Security officers in Miami, Florida, have voted to authorize a lawful strike unless their employer, Kent Security, raises their wages to comply with the Miami Living Wage Ordinance.

The officers, who work hard to protect Miami's public buildings, called on city officials earlier this year to investigate allegations of wage theft by Kent. On April 26th, they filed a living wage complaint, requesting the city of Miami to order Kent to pay up to $100,000 in witheld pay.

Miami's Living Wage Ordinance was set in place to ensure the city's tax dollars went toward responsible contractors who provided good paying jobs to local residents. Kent Security officers say that they were paid below the minimum wage set by the Ordinance for at least two years while working under a taxpayer-funded contract.

The private security industry is large, fast-growing, and global. Unfortunately, it is also plagued by low wages, high turnover, poor training and lax oversight--all of which put the public, security officers and the sites they guard, at risk.

Security officers are our first line of defense, protecting millions of lives and billions of dollars worth of property. They protect high-rise office buildings, banks, airports, stadiums, nuclear power plants, and pharmaceutical laboratories. Yet the investment that security contractors make in the wages, benefits and training of the men and women responsible for keeping us safe does not reflect the value of that work. Low wages coupled with a lack of benefits and training make it extremely difficult to retain good officers who strive to be professionals that serve and protect the public good.

Safe and Secure: A Path Toward Safer Buildings and Stronger Communities for Indianapolis makes the case for improving the security industry in Indianapolis through responsible contracting, investing in reliable union security services, and a professional workforce of security officers.

Read through the report below, or click here to download a copy for your own reference.

<< Return to Stand For Security Indianapolis homepage

Congratulations to Washington reporter Jeffrey Anderson for bringing to light the poor track record of U.S. Security Associates (USSA) and its subcontractor Watkins Security Agency, a firm hired to protect children in Washington's public schools.

USSA's contract for the DC Public Schools is now under review by the City Council, as will soon be USSA's contract for other public buildings in the District.

According to Anderson, USSA and/or Watkins in recent years have:

• Failed "multiple security penetration tests."
• Been fined more than 70 times by D.C.'s Department of Real Estate Services for security and contract violations over the past year.
• Been found by the D.C. Office of Inspector General to have persistent problems with employee screening and training.
• Allegedly violated minimum-wage laws in D.C.
• Been the beneficiary of more than $8 million in District overspending.
• Been hit with a $2.3 million judgment for sexual harassment and retaliation.
• Been sued by the EEOC in 2009 for alleged discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment in Alabama -- a case which was just settled in May 2011 with a far reaching consent decree and payment of $1.95 million.
• Been sued by the EEOC in 2009 for pregnancy discrimination and retaliation in Georgia and entered into a consent decree to settled the EEOC suit.
• Been sued in Michigan under the state's Whistleblower Protection Act for alleged retaliation against a whistleblower.
• Incurred litigation in at least a dozen states.

Should USSA and Watkins be trusted with the safety and protection of D.C.'s schoolchildren?

A group of private security officers in Miami could receive more than $100,000 in unlawfully withheld pay after filing a complaint against one of the city's contracted security companies.

Security officers who work hard to protect Miami's public buildings are calling on city officials to investigate allegations of wage theft by their employer, Kent Security. The officers say that they were being paid below the minimum wage set by the Miami Living Wage Ordinance for at least two years while working under a taxpayer funded contract. That means taxpayer money went to the company--not the community.

"I feel like I haven't been paid what I am owed for my work," said Edgar Dixon, a security officer who has patrolled Miami for the last four years, and says he can't afford to pay his bills despite working hard enough to earn a promotion to captain.

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

In February, security officers spoke at a public hearing in front of the Pittsburgh City Council, describing how the city's lack of security training requirements are a risk to the public. Without requirements established by the city or county, private security firms in the area are left to decide the type and amount of training they provide their employees, leaving some officers feeling unprepared to do their jobs. Often first on the scene in emergency situations, local security officers have gained the support of other emergency responders like Pittsburgh's firefighters, who say they would benefit from having better trained security officers protecting city buildings.

Last Friday, the Pittsburgh Business Times published a letter to the editor by Gabe Morgan of SEIU Local 32BJ's Western Pennsylvania Division, explaining the need for higher work standards among Pittsburgh's officers. In other large cities such as New York and Chicago, SEIU has successfully helped security officers through rigorous employer-union training programs that prepare officers to be able to meet today's security challenges.

We encourage you to read the full letter below to understand why expanding training programs and raising standards for security officers can lead to a safer, stronger Pittsburgh community.

Security Guards need higher work standards
Pittsburgh Business Times
Letter to the Editor
By Gabe Morgan
Published April 15, 2011

Nothing is more important than keeping Downtown Pittsburgh buildings and the public safe and secure, especially in one of the highest crime areas in the city (Re: "Service Employees International Union attempting to organize guards in Pittsburgh's largest buildings," April 8, 2011).

That's why officers at Downtown buildings are seeking enhanced training to improve their preparedness for safety concerns of all types -- from minor accidents to major emergencies and even terrorism.

Although they regularly put life and limb on the line to protect the public, private security officers earn as little as $8.50 an hour with no real benefits -- forcing many of them to rely on public assistance programs to support their families. Under such poor working conditions, few security officers stay on the job for long and turnover rates can be as high as 300 percent -- often resulting in inexperienced officers not familiar with the building or block they protect.

These turnover rates rival those of the fast food industry.

Raising security industry standards Downtown is in everyone's best interests, especially if it includes the creation of decent paying jobs. And it's in no one's interests to inadvertently put good, responsible companies at an economic disadvantage with their competitors for doing the right thing by our city and its residents.

That's exactly why the union takes an industry-wide approach rather than a company by company approach, and how we have successfully raised industry standards in other cities -- including New York, Washington and Philadelphia.

There is no reason why we can't do the same to raise security standards right here in Pittsburgh -- and, at the same time, improve the lives of hard-working security officers by creating decent paying jobs that support families.

There is a strong debate happening across the country these days about the role of unions in the economy. But as lawmakers attack the middle class by gutting collective bargaining in several states, a majority of the American public supports workers' rights and the freedom to form a union.

In a New York Times/CBS poll last month, 60 percent of Americans opposed taking away the collective bargaining rights of public employees. And this month, The Wall Street Journal/NBC confirmed this finding with a new poll that found 62 percent of Americans find it unacceptable to eliminate collective bargaining rights for public employees. In fact, 77 percent think that public employees should have the same rights as Americans who work for private companies.

And they have good reason to believe this. Workers who have fought for unions in the private sector have improved jobs, their company's practices and their communities as a whole.

As the middle class struggles through the ongoing recession to provide for their families, workers' rights guarantee that employees have a voice on the job, get paid livable wages, and work under fair conditions. The 35,000 security officers who have formed unions with SEIU are a strong example of how workers exercising collective bargaining rights can bring major improvements to a fast-growing industry.

By working together in their union, officers in the private security industry have won higher wages, better training, more affordable healthcare, paid sick days and more respect on the job. Union security officers have also built pride and professionalism in the industry, which leads to more reliable protection for property owners, tenants and the public.

An Iraq war veteran, Kevin Chavis saw how forming a union could bring pride and professionalism to his job. In turn, he won a pay raise that helped him provide for his family, and with better health insurance he is now able to take his son to the doctor without worrying about how he's going to afford it.

Security officer Renita Whicker helped form a union at her workplace and won paid sick days and more affordable health insurance. Now she and her fellow officers no longer have to risk their jobs when they get sick or injured.

Donna Alexander had a negative opinion of unions until she learned the positive effect a collective voice can have on the well-being of security officers. As a member of her bargaining committee, she helped her fellow officers win more respect on the job, needed vacation days, and regular pay raises.

"With a union, you have a voice...you'll be heard," says security officer Harrison Bullard. Harrison and his coworkers won higher wages, affordable healthcare and the opportunity for officers to keep jobs at certain worksites even if the security contract changes - a benefit that prevents turnover and helps individual clients keep knowledgeable security officers on the job.

These are just a few of the thousands of union members in the private security industry who know the vital importance of the freedom to form unions. Every American, regardless of whether they work in the private sector or public sector, should enjoy this basic American freedom.

Stephen Murray is interested in making sure the economy works for hard-working people, and he's starting where he lives and works in Houston, Texas. Stephen works as a security officer at the Criminal Justice Center and Wilson Building, monitoring the front entrances and directing people who come into the buildings.

"I've been in security for 10 years. I like helping people out and dealing with people. I enjoy helping people take care of their business," Stephen says.

In spite of his passion for protecting people, Stephen makes less than $19,000 a year and has no health insurance, struggling every month to pay bills and relying on the already overburdened public health care system when he gets sick. His expertise in the field of security is hampered by what he considers poor choices by his employer, a private security contractor.

"There are a lot of things that they teach you as you go, instead of at the beginning. There's a lot of stuff they never teach you, and I'm still learning things as I go now," Stephen says.

But Stephen believes that he can make a change for the better at his work. He is working with his co-workers to form a union to raise the standards of the security industry in our local community. When officers are paid enough to make ends meet and have the training they need, they are able to do their job better. This makes all of Houston safer. Having previously worked for a unionized justice commission in New Jersey, Stephen knows the dramatic difference a union can make in one's work and life.

"Having a union will pretty much save you. I almost got fired for something that wasn't my fault, but because my union representative knew the rules and regulations, he made sure I didn't lose my job," Stephen says. "Being in a union keeps the boss honest."

Stephen believes that forming a union will not only create good jobs with benefits, but also help the entire community by raising the standards of private security in Houston and showing all people that they can make improvements if they work together.

"In order to help the community, we need to educate people and let people know that they have a voice. A lot of things have changed in this country by people working together, educating each other and knowing their rights," Stephen said.

"Our country needs to become more united and less separated by economic status."

Joshua Rojas works the overnight shift at the Harris County Probation Office in Houston, Texas as a security officer. His role is vital -- he monitors the front entrance, watching everyone who enters and leaves the building, including prisoners who are turning themselves in.

In spite of the important role Joshua plays in keeping Houston safe, he is currently paid less $17,000 a year by his employer, a private security company. On a salary barely above the poverty level for a family of two, Joshua supports himself and his ill mother.

"My mother came to Houston from New York a year ago. She was homeless. I struggle to pay my monthly bills and take care of both her and myself," Joshua says. Joshua's mother suffers from seizures and, over the past year, has had four different surgeries. She is constantly in and out of hospitals. Her seizures require regular medication, and Joshua struggles to buy her medicine every month.

Sharon Robertson is a full-time security officer at the Metro Rail Operation Center. Her job is to keep Houston safe. She has responded to emergency situations, and she knows that a few minutes can be the difference between life and death.

"One time, someone drove their car into a ditch," Sharon says. "I had to act quickly and call the police. I was a first responder in that situation to make sure that the person driving the car was helped."

Sharon takes pride in her work and enjoys helping others. Even though she works full-time for a private security company, she makes less than $16,000 a year. Every month, Sharon must make sacrifices in order to pay rent and buy groceries, and she cannot afford health coverage through her employer.

"I don't have insurance, but I have the Gold Card," she says. "It's for low income people, which I'm considered, at $7.50 an hour."

Like most public safety net programs, the Gold Card is overburdened--largely the result of private companies shifting the responsibility of employee health care to taxpayers. People like Sharon who rely on this program for health care must wait months to see a doctor and even longer for follow-up care.

I'm a security officer at one of the most active sites for my company -- Eastridge Mall, a mall that is located on the east side of San Jose and which often attracts gang activity. In the month of January of this year, there were seven homicides in the area surrounding the mall.

In addition to deterring shoplifters, we have encountered armed patrons walking in the mall, leading many of us to invest our own money in protective equipment, none of which is provided by the company. Bulletproof vests cost hundreds of dollars, a strain on an already tight budget for most security officers.

I work with a good team at the mall. We stay on task and provide customer service for shoppers. For all of our work on this dangerous site, the security company we work for only pays us $11.50 an hour - almost $3 less than Santa Clara County's living wage. With this income, it is difficult to make ends meet.

At a rally held in Philadelphia on Martin Luther King Day, elected leaders and community members joined security officers to kick off a new effort to improve standards in Philadelphia's security industry. More than 300 supporters gathered to discuss how better security jobs and greater public safety can help communities struggling in a poor economy.

"As a matter of public safety, security officers who protect thousands of working Philadelphians and college students should have the necessary training to do their work effectively," said Pennsylvania Congressman Chaka Fattah. "Providing these brave men and women with family-sustaining wages is a good business practice that reduces job turnover and keeps officers off costly public programs."

"Security officers who protect employees at multibillion-dollar corporations should be able to afford to provide for their families," said Bill O'Dea, Chairman of the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, during a public rally held last week for improving the security industry.

Security officers and community leaders came together in Jersey City, New Jersey, to announce their effort to achieve higher public safety standards while creating better jobs within New Jersey's private security companies.

New Jersey has more than 38,000 private security officers who are responsible for keeping office workers and the public safe and secure. Despite being a first line of defense in many cities, some officers earn too little to provide for their families and don't have access to affordable quality healthcare. The rally aimed to show how poor standards in the security industry have a direct impact on the city's public safety and economy.

When considering three different security officers, one stationed at a federal government building, one at a chemical waste plant and another at a corporate office park, we expect that each officer received additional unique training for their particular worksite. But more often than not, security officers are not given the specialized training they need to adequately protect the public in their individual jobs.

A recent article in Security Director News brings these issues to the forefront. Kevin Lee, a former security officer and Marine, urges security companies to train their officers for specific job sites, and not just rely on experience or legal training requirements.

Below is a letter from security officer John Vinje to suburban security officers in the Twin Cities area.

To My Fellow Suburban Security Officers:

Hope you all had a safe & Happy Holiday Season!

Now that we are past this very busy time of the year, we can start thinking about why it's important to vote yes for our union. Here's why I voted yes for our union:

When my parents were still in the work-force, my mother worked for some fairly well-known, large companies here in the metro area, but was not a member of a union. My father, on the other hand, worked for a large hardware company and he was a member of a union. I can remember the problems my mother had with her employers regarding time off, discipline matters, job openings, and many other things. That company always seemed to win those disputes, and my mother usually didn't have anybody else to stick-up for her in those matters. On the other-hand, whenever my father had problems at work, all he needed to do was contact one of the union stewards, and they would help resolve whatever the problem was. Problems always seemed much easier to overcome where he worked.

So why do I think it's important to vote yes for our union? Let me tell you the important issues to me:

• Training: will make it easier to obtain any training that is related to my career.
• Wages: will give a better wage scale, one that will be more competitive in the current market; one that will allow me to "survive" in this economy, rather than having to decide which bills to pay on paydays vs. the opportunity to be able to eat.
• Holiday pay: If you had to work any of the recent Holidays, did you receive any extra pay for doing it? Doubtful, 'because I know I didn't. That really isn't fair, even if those days might be a "normal" work day for you.
• Been sick lately? Did you get paid for the days you were out sick? Not sure about your company, but I know the company that I currently work for, does not have paid sick days. Can you afford to stay home, even if you're sick? I know I can't: so then, the choice is go to work, and spread around the germs so everyone else can get sick, or stay home without pay, and then try to figure out how to pay bills that you already can't pay.
• Have you been unfortunate and had a death in the family lately? Does your company even have a funeral leave policy? If it does, are those days off with pay? I know in my company they are not paid. Why should you be forced to take unpaid time off for a family member's funeral? Most large companies have paid-time off for funerals.
• Health / Dental / Eyes: Can you afford to go to the doctor or dentist currently? Or get new glasses or contact lenses? Most private insurance plans are cost prohibitive; we simply can't afford them. Or, the plans offered by a Company cover so very little that the cost of the plan just isn't with it.
• Shift / Job openings: If a permanent shift opens up at your current site, do you get to bid on it? If a permanent position opens up within your company, do you get to bid on it? I know at my company, it seems like there are "favored" employees out there, who get first chance at these types of openings. I know recently, at the site I am at, there was a shift opening: as soon as I heard about it, I applied for it, only to find out that it had already been filled. Also, there was a job opening with better pay; within a day of seeing the posting, I called our main office to "apply" for the position, only to find out it had been filled.

There are many other reasons that we should vote yes for our union, and I hope to hear from you about what you think is important.

Again, hoping that you all had a great Holiday Season, and have a very Happy New Year!!

J.L. Vinje

As security officers across the country are calling for improved standards in the security industry, elected leaders in Indianapolis are proposing an ordinance that would make the city safer.

Currently, Indiana has no regulations for training private security officers, in spite of the fact that they protect millions of lives and billions of dollars worth of property. But Marion County elected officials and community members are working to change that. The "Safe and Secure" Bill, introduced by City-County Council Minority Leader Joanne Sanders, would require private security officers to undergo background checks, at least 8 hours of general training, and, for armed officers, 16 hours of training by a certified NRA instructor.

Sanders introduced the bill at a press conference recently in Indianapolis, alongside Sheriff-Elect Colonel John Layton, Pastor Willoughby from the Promise Land Christian Community Church and Pierre Pullins, a private security officer who lives and works in the Indianapolis area.

Sheriff-elect John Layton said law enforcement has an interest in well-trained security guards because they often are first on the scene after crimes. "Police officers and deputy sheriffs in Marion County will welcome any type of training for these security officers," Layton was quoted as saying in The Indianapolis Star.

"The private security industry lacks any regulation or oversight," Sanders said. "These officers guard buildings vital to Indianapolis, and it is important that we ensure these officers are properly trained. Otherwise, we are risking the lives and safety of not only these officers, but all Hoosiers."

According to the 2010 Safe and Secure report card,released by SEIU Local 1, Indiana received an "F" for failing to require background checks, initial or refresher training or licensing of officers. The report, a state-bystate evaluation of laws regulating the security industry, ranks Indiana 43rd in the entire country.

WIBC Radio reports that Indiana is one of 25 states without any training requirements. Community leaders and security officers hope passage of the new bill will begin to improve standards. "The law sets the bar extremely low, relatively speaking. But at least it puts a bar in there somewhere. " writes Austin Considine in Indiana's alternative newspaper Nuvo.

Security officers across North America have been speaking out since April to help create good jobs and improve public safety by raising security industry standards, and have been working to form unions in an effort to improve job conditions and training.

Last Wednesday, December 8th, politicians, community leaders and private security officers took a stand for better security in Indianapolis. City-County Council Minority Leader Joanne Sanders has introduced a bill, Proposal No. 299, 2010: The Safe and Secure Bill, to the Marion County City-County Council. The bill is focused on raising the training standards of the private security industry to ensure that all Hoosiers are safe and secure.

"The private security industry lacks any regulation or oversight," Sanders said. "These officers guard buildings vital to Indianapolis, and it is important that we ensure these officers are properly trained. Otherwise, we are risking the lives and safety of not only these officers, but all Hoosiers."

Currently, Indiana has no training regulations for private security officers, armed or unarmed, in spite of the fact that they protect millions of lives and billions of dollars worth of property. The Safe and Secure Bill would require 8 hours of general training for all newly hired private security officers, as well as 16 hours of training by a certified NRA instructor for armed officers.

Other speakers included Sheriff-Elect Colonel John Layton, Pastor Willoughby from the Promise Land Christian Community Church and Pierre Pullins, a private security officer.

SEIU Local 1's white paper, detailing the need for stronger regulation in private security, was also released at the public statement in support of The Safe and Secure Bill. The paper compares Indiana's private security policy with other states in the country and notes the problems caused by the industry's lack of training and oversight.

According to the paper's 2010 Safe and Secure report card, based on a state by state evaluation of laws regulating the security industry, Indiana was graded an "F" because of a lack of background checks, initial or refresher training or licensing of officers. This ranking was 43rd in the entire country.

Speakers at the public statement emphasized the fact that passing Proposal No. 299, 2010: The Safe and Secure Bill would create stronger regulation in the private security industry, allowing for a safer local community and a more secure Marion County. The bill was heard at the Public Safety Committee later that day and, due to some necessary changes, was postponed for action until January.

In Indianapolis this week, local veterans were joined by faith and community leaders for a press conference about improving security jobs in the community. Similar to press conferences held in Cincinnati and Portland, security officers who once served in our armed forces stood up and called for the better training, higher pay and affordable healthcare that officers need to do their jobs well.

"I spent nearly two decades serving my country," said Pierre Pullins, who served in the National Guard for 17 years and is currently a security officer. "However, after working as a security officer for three years, I have no health insurance and have had to make difficult decisions every month when needing to pay my bills."

Pierre was joined by fellow officers and other community leaders, such as Byron Ratcliffe, Chairman of the NAACP Veterans Committee. All spoke about the need to develop and maintain good jobs in Indianapolis for our returning heroes and our community at large in order to create a lasting economic recovery.

After serving our country, many veterans and armed service personnel have taken on jobs with private security companies, only to find themselves in poverty-wage jobs with few, if any, benefits.

This week in Cincinnati, Ohio, veterans, armed service personnel and local community leaders held a press conference calling for improved jobs in the security industry - a sector in which many veterans and armed service personnel work as security guards after serving their country.

Speakers at the event included Alfonso Hooks, a veteran, Cristy Riehle, a security officer, Tom Choquette, Director of Cincinnati Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, and Katelyn Hartford of the Cincinnati Area AFL-CIO Labor Council. They each spoke of the need to develop and maintain good jobs in Cincinnati for our returning heroes and our community at large in order to create a lasting economic recovery.

"I am here to thank my fellow employees who have served my country," Cristy Riehle said. "I am also here because I know my fellow officers are treated unfairly, paid low wages and living without benefits."

For many veterans, a job in the security industry is a logical next step in their career, utilizing many of the same skills they developed in the armed services to protect the public at home. However, some private security companies are instead putting our security officers and our communities at risk by offering poverty-wage jobs that lack affordable healthcare and appropriate training.

Today's event in Cincinnati echoes the same calls for better jobs and improved security standards that officers are calling for in other cities across the country.

"There's nothing I care about more than my community and my fellow man," said U.S. Navy veteran and security officer Alfonso Hooks. "I have worked all my life to keep Cincinnati safe and to protect it, be it at home or overseas. Perhaps instead of spending just one day thinking about our veterans, our community should reflect upon the conditions that our veterans must return to every day of the year."

"I've worked for non-union companies," security officer and SEIU Local 26 member Harrison Bullard says, "and they were... okay. But there was always some favoritism and repercussions if you spoke up about issues in the workplace."

"With a union, you will have a voice," Harrison adds. "Suburban officers should know that with a union, you will be heard."

As a member of the bargaining committee during the last round of contract talks, Harrison and other security officers fought for higher wages, affordable healthcare, paid sick leave and job protection when work sites change security companies.

"We won an opportunity to stay at your post when the companies change. Just because the companies change, doesn't mean you have to change," Harrison said. "You still remain at the same post under the union contract due to the fact that the company lost the contract -- you didn't lose the contract."

"The only thing we have to change is our uniform," Harrison added.

Talk to Roger Schutt for a few minutes about organizing security officers in the suburbs, and you gain an appreciation of why his fight is so vital.

A Whelan security officer at Boston Scientific's campus, Roger routinely receives the appreciation of the tenant's employees and property managers--but can barely live on his wages while supporting his seven-year-old daughter. Although he is subject to chronic back pain, Roger is unable to afford health insurance.

But the irony of protecting the safety and security of a large corporation in the medical industry while going without his own health care hasn't made Roger cynical. Instead, he is talking to his fellow officers about winning a majority sign-up election.

"The elites in this country have a club and we're not in it," Roger says. "The only thing keeping working people from becoming the working poor are the unions."

Roger's eyes were opened about the power of a strong union when he served on the bargaining committee at another unionized employer in 2007. He learned that, hand in hand with other unions, he can win better health care, wages, training and job protections with a union.

Roger wants more from life for his daughter, whom he describes as a "great reader, a talented dramatic artist" and a great card player. With a union, he's hoping to win better wages so that he can afford the ordinary things a bright child needs -- educational toys, time outdoors, movies -- as well as more of her father's time.

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