Detroit City Council Unanimously Passes Resolution in Support of a Voice on the Job for Downtown Detroit Security Officers

Council sends message to developers and shows support for security officers and all working people to come together in a union in a fast and fair process, free of employer interference.  

DETROIT – Today, the Detroit City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of downtown Detroit security officers in their fight for a voice on the job. The resolution sends a clear message to major developers that Detroit elected leaders, who approve downtown tax abatements and incentives, support the right of security officers and all working people to come together in a union in a fast and fair process, free of employer interference.

“As elected officials it is our duty and responsibility to exercise the same level of effort and creativity we used for developers to succeed in Detroit’s resurgence, with working families,” said Detroit City Councilmember At-Large Janeé Ayers, who co-sponsored the resolution. “We need to ensure our tax dollars go towards creating good jobs with fair wages and livable benefits — jobs where workers’ rights to unionize without employer interference are respected. No resident should be left behind as we continue to move our city forward on a more just and equitable path.” 

Last month, 33 brave security officers, who the Council honors in its resolution, went out on an unfair labor practice strike to protest the threats of retaliation they faced from their employer for coming together for a union and at least $15. Following the unfair labor practice strike, they won a raise to $15, but security officers are continuing to come together for the union rights and better training they need to make downtown safer and better for everyone. 

“We showed our coworkers the power that we really have when we come together and fight, but that is not enough,” said SecurAmerica officer Micah Brown, “$15 can’t buy us the respect, benefits, training or job security that we still need. We want the same standards that SecurAmerica officers in other cities have. We need a union.”

Security officers are fighting to build One Detroit, a city in which all hardworking people can participate in the city’s resurgence with a union and a wage of at least $15. 

###

Service Employees International Union Local 1 unites 50,000 workers throughout the Midwest, including janitors, security officers, airport workers, higher education faculty, food service workers and others. Local 1 is committed to improving the lives of its members and all working people by winning real economic justice and standing at the forefront of the fight for immigrant, racial and environmental justice.