SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Union security guards in San Francisco plan to walk off the job Monday morning and 150 other unions have vowed to honor their picket lines, according to Service Employees International Union Local 24/7.
SEIU called the strike Sunday to demand higher wages and better health care benefits. But union spokeswoman Gina Bowers refused to say how long the strike would last or how many buildings in the financial district would be affected.
The union, which represents nearly 6,000 security officers in San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties, has been negotiating with representatives from Universal Protective Security, AMB Security Services, and Securitas Security Services. The firms have refused comment, but building owners say security desks will be staffed.
SEIU members voted last weekend to authorize a strike. They have been without a contract since June.
SEIU has enlisted the support of the city’s firefighters, police officers and paramedics who say low wages for security guards have resulted in high turnover rates and poorly training guards. They claim it puts security at risk at some San Francisco high-rises.
Starting wage for a security guard in San Francisco is $11.30 per hour, according to SEIU. Janitors make slightly more at $11.49 per hour, it said.
(Photo from SEIU Local 24/7)
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