Minneapolis, MN – Twin Cities security companies ABM, Allied Barton, American, Securitas, and Viking are refusing to provide affordable health insurance for security officers and their families, and have failed to bargain in good faith. At negotiations yesterday, they once again offered no significant movement towards a solution to the crisis facing the 98% of private security officers in the Twin Cities who cannot afford family health insurance.
“Since day one, we have been committed to settling a contract that provides us with affordable health care for ourselves and our families in a responsible manner,” said James Matias, a security officer for American Security in Saint Paul and a member of SEIU Local 26. “Unfortunately, the security companies would rather leave our health at risk than address the health care crisis facing thousands of Minnesotans.”
The breakdown in negotiations comes after security officers held a one-day strike on February 25 in Minneapolis and Saint Paul - the first of its kind in the area - and sent a strong message that they cannot afford to wait any longer for affordable health insurance. “No one ever wants to have to go on strike, but we were given no other choice,” said Donna Alexander, a security officer for Securitas in Minneapolis. “We're taking a stand for what's right for us and right for our community – affordable health care for our families and for all Minnesotans.”
Nearly 800 security officers who protect the majority of Minneapolis and Saint Paul office buildings have been bargaining for affordable health care and better training standards for public safety. Currently, just thirteen out of the nearly 800 officers are enrolled in family health insurance and just 17% are enrolled in any health plan at all through their employer. The officers have been bargaining with their employers for over three months, and have been working without a contract since January 1.