32BJ SEIU Honors Members Killed on 9/11, Announces Ambitious Campaign to Organize 50,000+ NYC Security Officers

32BJ SEIU, the largest union for security officers in the nation, representing 20,000 in NYC, on Wednesday announced an ambitious drive to organize 50,000 more security officers in the city and honored 24 union members who were lost on 9/11 while working at the World Trade Center. (1,200 32BJ SEIU members worked at the World Trade Center before 9/11.)

Non-union officers fighting for a union and 32BJ SEIU union security officers were joined by City Council Speaker Julie Menin and NYC DCWP Commissioner Samuel Levine.

The tragedy of 9/11 sparked 32BJ SEIU’s campaign to uplift and organize thousands of security officers across the city, a campaign that was taken to new heights Wednesday. Officers gathered outside the Seagram Building (375 Park Ave), where non-union security company CPS refuses to remain neutral and respect workers rights to join a union. The event highlighted campaigns to unionize security officers working at Duane Reade/Walgreens, Victoria’s Secret, The Guitar Center Company, Urban Outfitters, Food Bazaar, Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, Anthropologie, Bath & Body Works, and other locations serviced by Narrow Security, CPS Security, Elite Investigations.

“In the days, months, and years following 9/11 we came to understand the importance of security officers in keeping New Yorkers and our buildings’ safe," said 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich. "Over the past 25 years, NYC security officers, alongside 32BJ, have made great strides in the pursuit of dignity and respect. 20,000 32BJ SEIU security officers in NYC have won employer-paid high-quality healthcare, good wages, access to free union classes, a 401k, the union grievance process, among other union benefits. We successfully pushed for legislation to uplift the entire industry. But there is more to be done. The industry is experiencing a turnover crisis. Too many have their lives repeatedly upended by unaccountable schedule changes, and too many have no healthcare or retirement prospects. With the momentum of the Aland Etienne Safety & Security Act at our back – passed to honor our fallen 32BJ brother Aland Etienne – we are now organizing for real power and justice for 50,000 more security officers who today lack the protections and rights they deserve.” Read an op-ed by three of the 32BJ members who worked at the World Trade Center in the NY Daily News.