‘Whatever it takes’: Security officers with 32BJ in contract demands

Hundreds of security guards and officers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ assembled near Bryant Park Thursday afternoon to demand contracts that reflect what they insist is their  unflagging commitment to the safety of residents and workers citywide. 

The guards are looking to secure significant wage increases and to maintain their employer-paid health-care coverage and training benefits. They are also seeking improved retirement provisions, better working conditions and Juneteenth as a paid holiday. 

Mirna Ruperto, who works as a security officer at the Liberty Street tower formerly known as One Chase Manhattan, said she and her union colleagues are deserving of a payday given their commitment during the pandemic. 

“We kept those buildings safe and secure. We are and we will always be essential workers,” Ruperto, who is also a member of the union’s bargaining committee, told her union colleagues at the Sixth Avenue rally. “I take my job seriously so I went to work. I also couldn't afford to stay home. Like nurses, doctors, FDNY, NYPD, all of our security officers had to risk exposure to Covid every day. We did our job to protect New Yorkers.”

Agreements covering roughly 20,000 guards, who work in commercial buildings, city-run shelters, hospitals and universities, including high-profile locations such as Hudson Yards, Fordham University and Rockefeller Center, expire April 30. 

A portion of the officers have a contract with the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, which negotiates collective bargaining agreements on behalf of commercial building owners, managers and cleaning companies. Others are under contract with various companies, including Allied Universal Security Service, Arrow Security and Securitas.

Robert Schwartz, RAB’s executive vice president, said he was hopeful an agreement could be secured before the current deal expires Tuesday.  “We have a great relationship with the union that has resulted in more than 30 years of uninterrupted labor peace. We look forward to more productive negotiating sessions in the days ahead in the hope of reaching a fair agreement by April 30th.” 

‘Far apart’

Israel Melendez, the director of the union’s security division, said that while negotiations with employers have been ongoing for two months, “we remain far apart on some issues,” including a few he suggested were non-negotiable. 

“They keep saying that they want to take their health care and they want you to pay for it. Are we going to accept that? These are the benefits that you need for you and your family. We are not paying for that,” Melendez said.  

According to the union’s last contract with the RAB, there are four classifications of security officers. Those hired as Security officers I start at $16.70 an hour and max out at $19.65 after three years. Security officers II earn a minimum of $21.98, while security officers III make at least $24.33. Armed guards, the fourth classification, earn a minimum of $31.15.

Tammy Murray, a security officer at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, said the contract offers from the employers did not reflect the commitment she and her colleagues have to their job, which for her was more akin to a calling, she said.  

“We do this work because we like helping people and we actually like making a difference in people's lives,” she said. Her job involved doing anything for residents that helps “to brighten their days,” Murray said.

“And while I do it, I'm also keeping them safe and protected. I'm good at keeping people safe,” she added. 

Murray noted that security officers like herself are the first people shelter residents encounter when difficulties arise. “We are definitely essential workers and we deserve to be treated as such,” she said. “If the employees don't want to give us what we deserve, we are willing to do whatever it takes to have them do right by us.”

The contract drive is similar to that of 20,000 commercial building service workers who secured a deal just days before the expiration of their contract at midnight on New Year’s Day. The cleaners in February overwhelmingly approved the agreement, which will provide them 12.6-percent raises over the course of the four-year deal and also keep them in their employer-paid health plan.

richardk@thechiefleader.com