D.C. City Council Members and clergy joined with Local 32BJ today to announce agreements with the four top private security contractors in Washington D.C. on 4-year contracts providing nearly 1,500 private security officers with the higher wages, health care and other benefits they need to support their families.
“The historic contract provides significant wage gains to help these brave men and women better support their families and their communities,” said Valarie Long, Local 32BJ Vice President. “Furthermore, raising standards in the security industry translates into safer tenants, safer buildings and a safer city.”
The contracts with Admiral Security, AlliedBarton, Guardsmark, and Securitas raise industry standards at three-quarters of the commercial office buildings in Washington, D.C, including buildings at Gallery Place, the Watergate Offices, the National Press Building, the National Geographic Building, NPR Headquarters, Market Square, International Square and Columbia Square.
The Washington Post has also picked up the story:
The security guards will earn at least $12.40 per hour or receive a raise of at least 50 cents per hour, whichever is more. The final contracts went into effect Wednesday.
"It means they are starting to respect the security guards," said Raquel Mack, 21, of Northeast Washington, who began working for AlliedBarton two years ago while attending the University of the District of Columbia. "We are the first line of defense if anything happens downtown. We have to protect most of the people and their property."
The companies agreed to pay for health insurance for all full-time workers. Part-time officers will not get health insurance, but they and their families will receive employer-paid benefits such as prescription drugs, dental care, vision care and life insurance.
"We are very excited," said Valarie Long, vice president of SEIU Local 32BJ. "There are about 1,500 workers whose lives are going to improve, at least economically."
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what about hotel secuirty
Posted by hotel on May 24, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Posted on May 24, 2008 at 9:36 AM