SEATTLE—On Wednesday, October 29th, Security officers in King County unanimously voted to ratify a new contract. After nearly a dozen bargaining sessions and eight weeks after the contract expired, the bargaining team recommended a YES vote on the latest contract proposal. Nearly 5,000 security officers will see their wage increase by an average of $3 dollars over the next three years.
Security companies first proposed no raise in the first year and a $0.35 cent increase in the second and third year of the contract back in August. As the contract reached expiration, the proposal put forth by security companies was unanimously rejected, and strike action was authorized by security officers. At the bargaining table, security companies repeatedly cited the expansion of the retail sales tax (ESSB 5814) as the reason they could not meet officers’ demands. The new tax took effect October 1st, expanding sales tax to include security services. The SEIU6 bargaining team repeatedly rejected attempts to balance the new tax on the backs of workers who keep our communities safe while struggling with the rising cost of living.
Security officers in Seattle stood firm in their demand for dollars and not cents, echoing a demand by security officers fighting for a fair contract from coast to coast. The Washington State Labor Council, MLK Labor Council, SEIU 775 and many other labor allies stood with security officers and helped achieve this historic victory. This was the longest security contract campaign in SEIU6’s history, but security officers refused to take a bad deal.
“The bargaining process can be very eye-opening and frustrating. It’s an honorable experience to stand up to our employers for respect, and to be able to explain to their faces what we go through and what we deserve. To my fellow workers, I want to say thank you for however you helped fight through this process. Together, we won a fairer contract.” —Rae Brimhall, tech campus security officer
Security officers were also able to secure a first of its kind transit differential. Transit security officers fulfill a public facing role and act as first responders in emergency situations. Security officers across sectors, including transit, warehouses, tech campuses and commercial buildings, and more were united and unwilling to budge on a reasonable set of demands for the value they add and communities they protect.
“Security officers won a record contract after a months-long fight. I’m proud to stand behind this team who refused to give up even in the face of disrespect at the bargaining table, because they know that their labor has value, and their families are worth it. Working people in King County face so many economic stressors, especially in Trump’s economy. These workers stood united and stood strong and they remind us of the power we have to fight for a better future.” —Zenia Javalera, President of SEIU6
# # #