Clergy Rally Behind Security Guards’ Efforts to Unionize
Los Angeles Wave - October 6, 2005
By Kevin Herrera

Making comparisons to the battle of David and Goliath, clergy from diverse denominations last week called on Maguire Properties, one of the largest commercial property managers in the city, to support security guards in their effort to unionize.

“The well-being of all people is a primary concern of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said the Rev. William Monroe Campbell of Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church before a hand-painted cardboard representation of the Walls of Jericho. “The downtrodden, the naked, the oppressed, these are the people Jesus fought for and the people we have been called on to help. It is necessary to give these people a voice in the struggle for justice.”

Members of the faith community were on hand to deliver to Maguire Properties more than 500 letters from members of their congregations, each one stating their support for the guards.

Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, security guards in many downtown high rises and apartment buildings have fought to join Service Employees International Union so they will be guaranteed quality training in case of another attack. Often the first responders to any emergency, security guards are also seeking higher pay, better health care and the “respect” that should come with protecting public safety.

“When you’re hired, they may show you where the restroom is and where you can eat your lunch and that’s pretty much it. It’s really just hands on,” said veteran security guard Richard Bergendahl, who has worked in the field for 26 years.

Starting salary for many guards is roughly $8 per hour with some money for dry cleaning. Most guards said they have to buy their uniforms, which cost around $300.

Lilly Lewis, a security guard for 18 years, said: “The devil is working double time, my body is working overtime and my paycheck reflects no time.”

Lewis said her income has decreased since she first started and has to make a choice between an oil change and getting her teeth fixed.

“I’d put more money into the community if I had more,” she said.

Union members said if security guards would be allowed to unionize, South Los Angeles and other low-income areas would see an influx of roughly $100 million to the economy. The majority of guards are African Americans and Latinos who live in the area, union members said.

“This would go a long way in helping families,” said Marqueece Dawson of the Community Coalition as a rabbi blew on a shofar, a ram’s horn used to mark the beginning of Rosh Hashanah.

Terrence Long, a spokesman for the SEIU, said property managers like Maguire must support the movement before companies employing the guards will submit.

“There is no way security contractors are going to recognize security officers as a union as long as their main clients, the L.A. real estate industry, are opposing security officers joining the SEIU,” Long said.

A representative with Maguire Properties did not return several calls seeking comment. In an earlier article in the Los Angeles Times, Peggy Moretti, a spokeswoman for Maguire, said the company, “does not oppose the unionization of its workers.”

Moretti said Maguire, which owns the Gas Co. Tower, One California Plaza, the Wells Fargo Tower and other downtown buildings, helped end the labor dispute involving janitors in 2000.

Jack Kyser, chief economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, said the $100 million figure presented by the union may be accurate, however, he cautioned against such a rosy financial outlook.

“Whenever you have unionization you have higher costs,” he said. “Generally over a period of time business owners will look at their operations and wonder can we automate to make things more efficient and reduce some staff?

“It’s sort of like raising the minimum wage,” Kyser added. “You have to understand some minimum wage jobs will disappear as companies try to save money. Also, one has to look at what this may mean in terms of future contract negotiations. Those who aren’t unionized may be able to offer lower rates and this could be difficult for union members during contract negotiations.”