Contact:  Desirée Taylor

dtaylor@seiu32bj.org

NEGOTIATIONS KICK OFF FOR CONTRACTS IMPACTING

1,500 NORTH JERSEY SECURITY OFFICERS

Newark– :  Bargaining kicked off today for contracts that will impact more than 1,500 security officers who work in buildings across North Jersey including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and Prudential’s Headquarters in Newark, Harborside office towers located along the waterfront in Jersey City as well as NJ Transit facilities.  These hardworking men and women, members of the labor 32BJ SEIU, presented their proposal for a fair contract to representatives of major employers.  It calls for higher wages, maintaining quality affordable health benefits and more paid leave so these security officers can live with dignity, meet increasing living expenses and provide for their families.

“As a security officer, I know the tenants and visitors at the office building where I work are depending on me to keep them safe and secure,” said Roshetta Dixon, a security officer and single mother who lives and works in Jersey City.  But my two children are also depending on me to provide for them.  However this is difficult to do on my salary.   We need a good contract with a wage increase that values our hard work, gives us the ability to make ends meet and give our children a bright future.”

Currently, the minimum hourly wage for security officers is just $11.  That’s far below the $27.31 hourly wage a household needs to earn in order to afford a two bedroom market rate apartment in New Jersey according to a report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

“A wage increase would ease workers’ financial burdens and help close the income gap so that the majority of security officers would earn closer to $15 per hour,” said Kevin Brown, Vice President and NJ State Director of 32BJ SEIU.  “Higher wages also benefit employers by helping to reduce turnover.”

Along with a living wage, the Security Bargaining Committee is also working to maintain quality affordable health benefits and increase the amount of paid time off for vacation and holidays.  And they’re seeking paid time off for bereavement so they can attend a loved one’s funeral without fear of losing a day’s pay.

“Security officers are on the front lines,” said Brown.  “They are the eyes and ears on the ground at a time when threats to our transit facilities and other high target buildings are a constant concern.  These men and women provide vital services and deserve better compensation, benefits, and more paid time off so they can be there for their loved ones just like they are Always There for us every day!

Negotiations will resume in September.

*With 165,000 members in 11 states–including 12,000 in New Jersey–32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.