Minneapolis, MN – Joined by
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, security
officers who protect the majority of commercial office buildings and other
major properties in Minneapolis and Saint Paul voted today to
authorize their bargaining committee to call a strike if necessary. The
overwhelmingly affirmative vote means the more than 750 security officers that
protect the majority of the area’s office towers could walk off the job at any
time in the coming weeks in protest of unfair labor practices by their
employers.
“No one ever
wants to have to strike, but we’re ready to do what it takes to win affordable
health insurance for ourselves and our families,” said Renita Whicker, a
security officer who works at LaSalle
Plaza and is a member of
SEIU Local 26. “Right now, many of us have to choose between paying the rent
and taking our kids to the doctor. All Minnesotans deserve access to quality,
affordable healthcare.”
Health insurance
premiums can be as high as $835 per month for security officers. As a result,
only 13 security officers, just two percent, are enrolled in
the family health insurance offered by their employer. Only 17
percent of security officers are enrolled in any health insurance from
their employer.
“Having the
training and equipment we need to do our jobs well isn't just an issue for
security officers, it’s an issue for the people we serve and protect every
day,” added Mike Kipka, an employee of Securitas at Block E. “We put
ourselves in potentially dangerous situations in order to uphold public safety,
and it’s time we are recognized for our work with better training, wages and
benefits.”
Despite
protecting multi-million dollar properties, security officers often struggle to
get by. They protect properties owned by some of highest-profile business
leaders in the Twin Cities, including Ameriprise, US Bank, and United
Properties.
“Security
officers play a critical role in upholding our public safety, and they provide
an invaluable service to our community,” said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. “We
need them as our partner in the police department and the City of Minneapolis.”
Mayor Rybak and
Congressman Ellison joined Minneapolis City Councilmember Ralph Remington;
leaders from religious organizations ISAIAH and Worker Interfaith Network;
labor leaders from Teamsters Local 120 and other unions; and community groups
to support security officers today.
Twin Cities
security officers have been bargaining for months with their employers –
security contractors ABM, Allied-Barton, American, Securitas, Viking, and
Whelan – and they have been working without a contract since January 1.
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