More than 100 people, unionized security guards and allies, gathered at Mechanics Monument Plaza Wednesday to rally against the unfair wages offered by billion-dollar companies.
Security guards from San Francisco to Silicon Valley, with the support of the Service Employees International Union United Service Workers West and allies, announced a strike authorization against companies like Allied Universal and Securitas, both huge national operations that contract with some of the richest companies in the world.
People at the rally chanted “protect the rich while we stay poor” and “hell no we won’t take it no more,” highlighting how employers treat the ones who protect and support their companies. Security officers say they are risking their lives to protect wealthy companies like Salesforce, OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta—which can easily afford to pay their contractors enough to provide a living wage for guards.
According to UC Berkeley, security officers are mostly workers of color with 41 percent Latino and 23 percent Black. Security officers are paid a median of $20.09; California’s median wage is $28.16.
The 14,000 security guards represented by SEIU-USWW and have been negotiating with some of the nation’s security giants for a new contract since April. Security companies, the unions says, initially proposed a 25-cent hourly raise over the next four years. The latest offer is still not enough to make ends meet, the union says.
One of the security officers affected by the low wages is Jerry Longoria, a security guard of 25 years for Allied Universal. “We put our lives on the line. We guard and protect billion-dollar corporations,” said Longoria, who lives in an SRO. “I can barely afford my rent and for me to barely afford my rent and get this contract, how am I going to survive?”
Since 2003, Longoria has noted how he has only received a few 25-cent raises since he has been a security guard. “I can’t move forward,” said Longoria.
Speakers at the rally emphasized that the workers can’t afford to live where they work. “Security officers risk their lives every single day. This job is becoming more and more dangerous,” said Anton Farmby, secretary treasurer of SEIU-USWW.
“We cannot continue to live in such great wealth and live in poverty,” said David Huerta, president of SEIU-USWW.
Politicians came in support, including Board of Supervisors President Raphael Mandelman, Sup. (and Congressional candidate) Connie Chan, and state Assembly member Matt Haney. “Rain or shine, we will be with you,” said Chan.
Security officers are not only affected by bad wages. Only about half the security guards in California have access to health insurance, and have no access to health family care. They have no secure retirement.
Security officers have demanded as $30/hour, family healthcare, and to be able to have a secure retirement. “What we’re asking for is dignity, respect, and justice,” said Huerta.
