PHILADELPHIA SECURITY OFFICERS UNION SETTLES CONTRACT AT THE MUSEUM OF ART

-The Union Contract Will Go Into Effect On April 29 In Honor Of May Day

A majority of security officers employed by AlliedBarton Security Services voted to ratify a collective bargaining agreement after 4 years of organizing.

The agreement will increase wages by 14.5% over the life of the 3 year agreement and will institute a grievance procedure and a seniority system.

“We are proud that our 4 year struggle has resulted in a better quality of life for our co-workers and families,” says Donald Lindsey, President of the independent union.

The union cites their long activism campaign and the help of supportive city council representatives including Wilson Goode Jr.

The union members wages will increase from $10.03 per hour to $10.88 per hour.

Though the museum is not legally bound by the Philadelphia Living Wage (PLW) ordinance, a law championed by Councilman Goode, the union and the Councilman have pointed to the PLW as an acceptable standard.

The union also credits the support of Councilman Mme. Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Bill Greenlee, Blondell Reynolds-Brown, Curtis Jones Jr., Janie Blackwell, Bill Green, the Philadelphia labor movement, student activists, Jobs with Justice and dozens of local faith leaders for their hard won victory against the nations second largest security company.

“We began organizing security officers in 2006 after SEIU left town,” says Fabricio Rodriguez, PSOU organizer.

“Back then, we felt like the state workers in Wisconsin must feel now. We had no union option. We decided to build our own,” says Rodriguez.

Dynnita Bryant, union shop steward says of their future plans, “We have three more contracts to settle and we will keep on organizing workers to become leaders in their work places.”

“Any worker can get organized and improve their lives. We have proven it,” says Sulaiman Kamara, union Treasurer.

The union will celebrate it’s victory at a party at the Newspaper Guild, 1329 Buttonwood St. on Wednesday, April 20 at 5:30 pm. The contract will go into effect on April 29 in honor of International Workers Rights Day which is recognized on May 1 around the world.