(LA) Mayor parties with (4,000) newly unionized guards

[Omaha Steve]

Source: LA Times

Mayor parties with newly unionized guards
By John Spano, Times Staff Writer
May 21, 2007

Hundreds of low-wage security guards and their supporters rallied Sunday in South Los Angeles at a raucous, noisy party to celebrate the birth of their new union.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was on hand to salute what he called the "unity in diversity" of the new 4,000-member unit of the Service Employees International Union.

Members of the new union, 70% of whom are black, will affiliate with an existing union representing mostly Latino janitors, pooling the interests and futures of both groups, Villaraigosa said.

Union officials said guards now start at pay as low as $8.50 an hour with no benefits. A management representative said he believed the average was nearer $9 to $10 an hour and that about 20% have medical benefits.

Read more: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=102&go_ahead=doit

[shance]

1. More "security" simply means more fascism, more exploitation of those less than millionaires.

Wake up America.

[DBoon]

2. What kind of security can you buy for $8.50/hr?

I'd be terrified if people paid so little were responsible for protecting my life and property.

[Omaha Steve]

3. The guards will be getting a raise

And more. I hope to post some results in a month or two.