Thousands Of NJ Security Guards Want Pay Raises Amid Pandemic
NEWARK, NJ Aug 30 2021— An average day on the job isn’t easy for a security officer in the age of the coronavirus.
Since the pandemic began, security workers at buildings across New Jersey have been asked to take on a laundry list of new duties, such as running temperature checking stations and enforcing mask mandates – often putting their own safety on the line.
And that’s why more than 2,700 security officers across the state deserve a raise, union spokespeople say.
Earlier this week, thousands of security officers from 10 New Jersey counties came together to open bargaining for a new contract. Meeting at the Newark office of 32BJ SEIU, a bargaining committee of 12 members officially kicked off their campaign to secure a new, four-year deal with their employers, who joined the talks remotely.
“This past year has been extremely difficult to serve as a security officer and as an essential worker,” said Tyshawn Barnes, who works for Allied Universal Security at Hudson Community College.
“We put our lives at risk and our families’ health on the line when we showed up to work, while everyone stayed home,” Barnes said. “This contract negotiation is about showing us the respect we deserve for the sacrifices that we have made.”
According to 32BJ spokespeople, the security officers protect more than 150 properties valued at an estimated $7.5 billion, including offices for 22 Fortune 500 companies, “critical infrastructure sites and major cultural institutions,” and seven colleges and universities that cater to more than 47,000 students.
The workers include 1,800 security officers from Hudson, Essex and Union counties, more than 400 officers from Bergen, Passaic, Middlessex and Mercer, and more than 500 new members from Morris, Monmouth and Somerset.
According to 32BJ, the officers – many of whom are Black or immigrants – are also asking for strengthened provisions against discrimination for attributes “historically associated with non-white racial groups,” such as hairstyles.
“Our security officers have weathered this pandemic in the front lines,” said Kevin Brown, 32BJ’s vice president and New Jersey state director.
“As our state moves into a recovery phase, raising their wages, improving on the protections and maintain their health care are the pillars of the 2021-2025 master agreement,” Brown said.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop – “I am here today because 32BJ represents the working backbone of Jersey City, the Hudson County and New Jersey. For years, 32BJ has advocated for workers that are in the frontline doing work that is often underappreciated but vital to the economy. We need to make sure that these workers have the means and resources to raise their families in a comfortable way. We are here in support of these workers and look forward to the positive outcome of these negotiations.”
Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea – “I am here to support the union and workers in these negotiations. During the pandemic, security officers were – and continue to be – front line. They proudly took on additional responsibilities and risks at no additional pay. I am proud to support 32BJ on this bargaining session.”
Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese – “When we talk about security guards, we are talking about the first line of defense. They are the ones that are going to step out and protect you by enforcing COVID-19 prevention policies. They should be paid accordingly. They should have health benefits. They deserve more. We need – what we know understand as – essential workers in this economy.”
Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill – “I am the product of a union household, an advocate for rank-and-file members of the union community, and wholeheartedly believe that unions are the pathway to the middle class. I support the nearly 3,000 32BJ security members that work at a multitude of crucial properties across the state, and we must do all we can to ensure the strength of their contract reflects the changing conditions of the workplace with respect to wages, benefits, the promotion of diversity, and the security of the 32BJ employees and the people and entities they protect.”
The security officers who met Wednesday aren’t the only essential workers in New Jersey to ask for more pay and better conditions amid the pandemic.
In April 2020, essential employees at five luxury buildings in North Jersey staged a 24-hour strike, alleging that they’re underpaid and put at risk from the coronavirus. The walkout included dozens of workers who help run Washington Towers and Ambassador Towers in East Orange, The Cliffs in Jersey City, Galaxy Towers in Guttenberg, and Towne Centre in Englewood.
“We’ve been told we’re essential workers,” said Michael Mohrle, 48, who has worked as concierge at Towne Center in Englewood for nine years. “But right now, I can’t say I’m making a living.”
In March, a committee representing more than 10,000 airport workers in New Jersey and New York sat down with a group of 23 employers to take the first steps toward a new contract – which they eventually won.
“The unit will be the largest group of airport workers to start bargaining since the [pandemic’s] onset, and is expected to lead the nationwide conversation on essential worker safety and recovery following COVID-19,” union spokespeople said.
Demands included better health and safety protections and “expanded organizing rights,” as well as provisions that would ban employers from discriminating against workers based on hairstyles and hair textures.
In April, Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), a union that represents 14,000 nurses and health care workers across New Jersey, gave an update on its locals’ ongoing contract negotiations amid the pandemic.
Hazard pay will be among the goals for its members in 2021, union spokespeople said. Other demands will include worker and patient safety measures, “safe staffing” and infectious disease preparedness.
“Nurses and other health care professionals must be heard,” HPAE President Debbie White urged. “Their experiences over the last year have led to a set of demands that will go far to protect front-line caregivers. Ultimately, COVID-19 has served to highlight what we’ve said all along; worker safety is patient safety.”
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