Security Officers Reach Tentative Agreement with Security Contractors for New Contract

Boston, Mass. (November 24, 2008) – Security officers reached a tentative agreement with security contractors AlliedBarton, Securitas, and Northeast Security this weekend for a new contract. Officers, who are members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 615, have been negotiating with contractors for their first contract since July.

“This is the culmination of a four year effort to make sure that security officers, who protect billion dollar properties in Boston and Cambridge, have some safety and security in their own lives,” said Rocio Saenz, president of SEIU Local 615. “Most importantly, it sends the right message that, even during difficult times, we are not going to ask our poorest citizens to work at poverty wage levels with practically no benefits.”

Details of the agreement will not be released until it is ratified by the officers. Officers had been bargaining over wage increases and better benefits, including sick days and vacation time, holiday leave, and access to quality health insurance. On average, officers currently make between $11 and $12 per hour and currently most are without vacation time or sick days. More than a third qualify for subsidized health insurance based on their low wages.