New Union Contract Boosts Wages For DC School Security Officers

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

“A three-year contract has been reached between Securitas, a DC public schools security contractor, and 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union,” reports SEIU 32BJ. The union says the new agreement will provide a 15 percent increase in wages and benefits for nearly 180 security officers who protect 13 elementary, middle and high schools. “This raise will help me make a better life for my children,” said Wallene Butler, a mother of two and a security officer at McKinley Tech High School. “We work hard to keep kids safe and now we get the respect we deserve.” At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown said that the contract is a “huge step toward improving the quality of life for security officers in DC and keeping our schools safe.” The union says that most of the officers will see their wages and benefits increase from $16.08 to $18.34 over the life of the new contract. “Additionally, the contract provides up to four weeks paid vacation, up to seven personal/sick days for full-time officers and for the first time all officers will receive employer paid pension benefits.” Securitas is one of two contractors that provides security for public schools in the District. The other contractor - U.S. Security - has been under fire for its poor performance record (Security Workers Urge Fenty To "Obey Contracting Laws" UC 9/22/2010). “This is the kind of boost that more working families need in DC and throughout the nation,” said Jaime Contreras, 32BJ Capital Area Director.  “DC’s taxpayers, students and the public all benefit from raising standards for security officers. Unfortunately, U.S. Security is threatening to undermine this progress.” SEIU 32BJ currently represents 1,500 private security officers who safeguard District offices and educational institutions. – adapted from a report by SEIU 32BJ; photo: Charging that Mayor Fenty is circumventing the City Council's review processes and is putting city residents at risk, dozens of security officers and members of SEIU Local 32BJ rallied outside the Wilson Building on September 21, 2010 demanding that the Mayor “obey the city’s contracting laws” and replace U.S. Security – a city and school security contractor – with a responsible company; photo by Adam Wright