SEIU: Security Officers Reach Tentative Agreement On Historic Union Contract In Los Angeles (40%)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48741324_seiu-security-officers-reach-tentative-agreement-h

Higher Wages, Affordable Health Care, Career Ladder Make This Tentative Agreement Best Ever of Its Kind in the Country

January 21, 2008 -- LOS ANGELES – Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Security Officers United in Los Angeles Local 2006 announced today that they have achieved a tentative agreement on their first union contract. If ratified, the contract will be the best-ever of its kind in the country, raising total compensation – wages and healthcare – by nearly 40 percent.

“We’re all thrilled,” said Michael Johnson, security officer on the bargaining committee. “Finally I can take care of my family like a man, and do for them how I’ve always dreamed, just to give them opportunities that I never had.” Michael Johnson, like many security officers, works two full time jobs just to make ends meet.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa was instrumental in bringing together the security officers union with the building owners and their security contractors to reach a settlement.

“Today we have a historic agreement that directly improves the lives of more than 4,000 hard-working Angelenos, and whose impact will be seen in families throughout South Los Angeles. This agreement has been six years in the making, and I could not be prouder that we were able to help make it happen,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. The Mayor stood with security officers this morning at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade to make the announcement, surrounded by many community and elected leaders who have supported the security officers’ in their historic struggle.

Security officers protect multi-million dollar properties but have been earning poverty wages and many qualify for food stamps and other public assistance. The average hourly wage is $8.50 without access to affordable health care. Many security officers have to work two or more jobs just to make ends meet.

“This groundbreaking agreement will start to reshape the landscape of Los Angeles not just for security officers, but for the entire community,” said Faith Culbreath, President SEIU SOULA Local 2006. “When essentials like respect, living wages, and affordable health care enter the picture, it changes the way working families make decisions in the here and now and also how we plan for the future. This tentative agreement gives us more than hope, but actual proof of a better future for African American workers in Los Angeles.”

FULL story at link.