Security Workers Gear Up for First Contract Negotiations

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and DC City Councilmember Jim Graham joined security workers in the muggy early morning heat Tuesday to celebrate their recent union recognition win and to demand a fair contract for over 1,000 security workers in the District. "Nobody who believes in security could tolerate these conditions and high turnover rates [averaging 600% nationally]," said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. "Seldom have linking pay and conditions been so important to our national interest," Norton added. Workers have been organizing since March 2004 and won a major victory recently when three top security providers committed to negotiate a contract with SEIU 32BJ - the union representing the workers. The commitment is the first of its kind and represents the majority of security officers working in DC's commercial office space. "This [campaign] is about raising benefits, working conditions, and standards in the security industry," said Valarie Long, SEIU 32BJ Vice President. "We serve and protect our tenants," said William Gantt Jr., who has worked as a security officer for 11 years in DC. "We just want what everyone wants: fair benefits and wages," "Now we need a fair labor contract" vowed DC City Councilmember Jim Graham, "I will do everything I can to help."
- Report/photos by Andy Richards