RAB negotiations kick off campaign to raise industry standards

Local 32BJ kicked off a campaign to bargain new union contracts for nearly 4,000 security officers in New York City.  The talks began this morning, when the union presented contract proposals to the Realty Advisory Board (RAB) for approximately 1,500 of the officers.  This spring, Local 32BJ will negotiate new contracts for members with several major owners and security contractors, as well as continue to work with non-union officers through the "Stand for Security" organizing campaign, in an effort to raise standards across the private security industry.  "For far too long, security officers have been left behind.  Now it's time to significantly improve the wages, benefits and training for security officers, who are at the front lines of keeping the public safe and secure," said Kevin Doyle, Local 32BJ SEIU executive vice president.  "We offered fair proposals to the RAB that New York City's wealthy real estate market can afford."  The proposals to the RAB include wage increases and improved health insurance and other benefits, such as pre-paid legal services and enhanced industry-focused training.  Security officers who are members of Local 32BJ work at venerable New York City institutions, including Lincoln Center, MOMA, the New School University and Rockefeller Center, as well as commercial office buildings, hospitals and schools.  "Achieving new, strong contracts for officers who are already members of our union goes hand-in-hand with continuing to work with non-union officers.  This is about raising standards across the entire industry and empowering officers to get ahead," said Doyle.