Prudential Turns Deaf Ear to Security Officers

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Security officer Jaime Carrasco looked over his notes in the cold rain Thursday afternoon outside a downtown DC office building. "I have diabetes and need medication," said Carrasco, rehearsing what he planned to say to building property management officials. "Security officers need health coverage we can depend on for us and our families." Carrasco and a delegation of fellow security officers and faith leaders planned to tell their stories and ask officials of the building management company, Prudential, to support Securitas security officers - who provide security in their building - in their fight for quality employer-paid healthcare. But Prudential officials not only refused to listen but called building security and police to have the delegation removed. "Securitas is refusing to provide health care benefits to its workers," said SEIU 32BJ Organizer Abdul Camus. "I have talked to workers who say that half of their salary is going towards healthcare." Security officers and their union, SEIU 32BJ, are currently negotiating with Securitas and other security companies to increase wages, benefits, and improve working conditions for District security officers. After being kicked out of the Prudential offices by police, Carrasco and the delegation vowed they would not be deterred and will continue to pressure Prudential and other management companies to build support for their struggle. "We need to keep doing it," said Carrasco. - report by Andy Richards