New Jersey Security Guards Rally for Fair Pay and Safer Working Conditions Amid Rising Risks
In downtown Newark on September 3, nearly 150 security guards protested for higher wages and safer working conditions as part of a union-led awareness campaign. The action, organized by SEIU Local 32BJ, followed a July 28 Manhattan mass shooting that killed union member Aland Etienne, highlighting the daily hazards security guards endure.
At the event, Tyrone Johnson, a 67-year-old Woodbridge guard with five years of experience, said that despite being called “rent-a-cops,” security officers had life-threatening duties. Johnson, a father of three and grandpa of seven, earns $43,000, underscoring guards’ difficulty to achieve salaries that fit their job dangers.
2,500 New Jersey security guards are represented by Local 32BJ. They rally as the union and a coalition of the state’s largest security contractors negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement before the four-year contract expires on September 15. The union wants a settlement that guarantees family-sustaining salaries, decent healthcare, harassment-free workplaces, and enough training and resources for all members.
The gathering began in Newark’s Military Park on Broad Street with “Security?” and “Always there!” slogans. The march passed through downtown streets as police stopped traffic to protect participants. Passersby and drivers expressed support or irritation. Roxana Rivera, a national SEIU representative, held a moment of grief for Etienne and stressed the need of security guards in public safety.
Ana Maria Hill, 32BJ Vice President and New Jersey regional director, noted that security professionals respond to fires, public disorder, random acts of violence, and health crises without recognition. Hill underlined the need to update the agreement to reflect the difficult job and improve guard pay and protections. Starting earnings under the union deal are $17 an hour, slightly over New Jersey’s $15.49 minimum wage, and include employer-funded health insurance. The union wants higher wages and comprehensive healthcare.
Union officials also want an informal “bill of rights” for cops, providing equitable pay, benefits, safe workplaces, and enough resources to do their jobs. The union wants to professionalize the security industry and recognize guards as vital to public safety.
Newark City Council President C. Lawrence Crump, state Senator Angela McKnight, and Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Dale Caldwell supported the demonstration. Caldwell, a labor supporter, stressed the significance of fair remuneration to make New Jersey more affordable for working families. Participants in the event also expressed personal financial difficulty despite their demanding roles, underlining the pay discrepancy.
The demonstration called for greater compensation and safer working conditions and reminded security officers of the risks they confront daily. The conclusion of contract negotiations will affect the livelihood and safety of thousands of New Jersey guards who protect workplaces, public spaces, and communities.
