STAND FOR SECURITY

Security officers across the country are struggling to raise the quality of their jobs as part of the largest African-American worker organizing campaign in the nation's history. Over 70% of security officers are African-American, and their median annual wage is about $19,000, less than the federal poverty threshold for a family of four.

CLUE-CA affiliates in Los Angeles and the East Bay area have been working together to support security officers in their struggles for union representation, living wages, health benefits and adequate support and training. Together, they achieved a commitment from the Building Owners and Managers' Association in Los Angeles to support contractors who allow union representation as well as winning a major battle in the East Bay to ensure that local governments choose contractors that honor their workers' needs and concerns.

One of the largest national contractors, ABC Security, was seen as "untouchable" for their personal connections with elected officials, but the influence and moral authority of clergy leaders made a key contribution to ABC's decision to meet new standards for fair worker compensation and justice and dignity on the job. The campaign featured a series of "pray-ins" in the building owners headquarters.

The workers in Los Angeles continue to struggle for contracts that will realize their dreams of improved wages and benefits, while the workers in San Francisco supported and accompanied by Bay Area CLUE affiliates have achieved a just contract covering 4,000 workers.