Is it a crime in San Francisco for working people to seek decent wages?

by Sam Drew/PNN

Two helicopters hovered menacingly above the crowd keeping a watchful eye on the group below. Several SFPD squad cars drove by and barked orders in an attempt to keep law and order.

Now what had action had elicited this heavy police response? Either someone had just robbed a bank and was holed up in a residence, or maybe the bomb squad had been called in for a suspicious package left in park, or maybe even a crazed radical had made an attempt on the life of a beloved politician. But no, sadly the real reason for this menacing police presence was the Service Employees International Union 24/7 (S.E.I.U. 24/7) rally in support of the striking security officers fighting for fair wages and affordable health care.

Your intrepid POOR Magazine reporter (and undercover security officer) was up at 5:30 a.m. to report and sup-port by joining the security picket line for this historical union action. SEIU 24/7 is only five years old, a relatively new union that represents 5,000 officers in the Bay Area .The majority of the officers are African –American with a large representation of Pilipinos and most of them protect multi–million dollar buildings in San Francisco.

They are responsible for hundreds of lives because they are first responders in case of any disaster or emergency. But these first responders have to deal with inadequate health care and in many cases inadequate training, even though they work for some of the richest property owners in the world. Have you ever heard of Morgan Stanley or Shorenstein Properties? These are some of the heavy weights who can’t afford to provide decent wages and health care benefits for their security service employees, but can for their janitors and engineers. Local 24\7 found that “security officers average $5 an hour less than other union workers in the same building.”

“Security officers are our partners in public safety, but they are unable to get adequate training because you can’t train a workforce that’s in a revolving door” said John Hanley San Francisco Fire Fighters Union President.

According to the SEIU, ““experts estimate the turnover among security officers to be up to 400 %,” which is far higher than even the fast food industry.”

As soon as I arrived in front of 50 Fremont around 6:30 a.m., organizer Larry Ball smiled and asked, “Where were you? You’re late,” as he handed me a sign to carry. I was quickly escorted to an already active picket line with security officers and other union members chanting. Rows of purple and yellow strike signs were placed on the sidewalk like picket fences on well-manicured lawns in the Midwest. I squeezed in between the lady with the bullhorn and the guy with the bent sign.

“Spread out,” shouted Mr. Ball “Keep the line tight,” he reminded everyone. We began marching in lockstep going round in circles screaming, “What do we want? A contract. When do we want it? Now!” After 15 minutes of marching and chanting I know where in for a long day. We were supposed to be on the line until 6 p.m. that night. I was glad I brought my comfortable shoes.

After 15 minutes it was time to rest a few minutes and get to know my fellow protestors. As I sat and talked, Mr. Ball sat down near me. “Even though your sitting you still have to hold the sign,” he said as he attempted to show me the right way to hold the sign. Larry Ball has a unique way of giving instructions in a non-threatening way always with a smile on his face.

We were all there to let the public as well as the companies know the reason for our grievances. Pamphlets were being handed out to all those who would accept them and most people did as they passed by. Some people rejected them as force of habit of living in the big city.

My fellow protestor is from Los Angeles. She is a member of SOULA the Los Angeles union for security officers. As we talked, we found out that we have had similar difficulties with the major security companies.

I told her about the check difficulties I had throughout my career. “One time I was shorted out of 8 hours overtime pay, I kept the paperwork as proof I did the overtime and I had to spend time and money to go to the headquarters to confront the company but when I first came in and gave my proof I was told I was wrong…the short of stature representative told me ‘We’ve already mailed the overtime checks out Mr. Drew’ but I remained unmoved and repeated my demand for the payment for work performed, but the company man refused to look me in the eye and continued to stare at his computer. He called in his fellow company man and exclaimed to his buddy ‘This one is on you homie, I’m on vacation.’

Yes, I was owed for overtime but short of stature representative said I had to wait till next pay period 2 weeks from now to get paid. I know the rules state that the company has to pay you within 3 days but the company man says,” I just work here Mr. Drew, I don’t make the rules!”

It was time to start the protest line again. Ed Meyers, representative for S.E.I.U. 24\7 exclaimed that other unions have to respect our picket line and not cross it. Not only did we have to chant, walk in circles and inform every one about our action, but we also had to challenge other unions to respect our line. This is too much like work, I thought to myself.

But then suddenly the media arrived with their cameras and tailored suits. This is the type of news the mainstream eats up. Antagonist pitted against each other on film for the six o clock news. We did our little protest thing for the camera and then they left.

The San Francisco Labor Council, the local body of the AFL-CIO that represents 150 affiliated labor unions, support the strike. This is proven when a young man attempts to make a delivery. I kindly informed him this is an SEIU 24\7 strike line. He looked at me and rapidly spewed, “I ain’t crossing no picket line.” He then quickly got on the phone to inform his employers there would be no deliveries that day.

During my 10 hours on the strike line there were many examples of support. Construction workers walked by letting us know they could hear us chanting 20 floors up. Well-wishers dropped off food and local merchants gave out gift certificates. The striking guards from 50 Fremont had streams of community supporters from their building giving them words of support. Evidently, they appreciate the security officers more than the security companies or the property owners.

At 5 p.m. we all gathered on Market Street for a final rally. Speakers included San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano, Oakland Assemblyman Sandre Swanson and representatives from the offices of San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly and Assemblyman Mark Leno. They all spoke to the tired S.E.I.U. picketers and their supporters. Assembly member Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland) and his peers in the state legislature released “Separate but Unequal” a report that urged the leading property owners of commercial real estate to end the double standard that keeps security officers in poverty.

One after another they voiced their support of working people in San Francisco seeking livable wages and affordable health care. As a religious leader prayed for our just struggle, I glanced up to the sky after hearing an unusual noise coming from the heavens. It was two helicopters hovering above as if they were spying on the procession. Then I thought to myself “It makes perfect sense- in San Francisco- a city that’s ranked third in the nation for the highest income inequality between the haves and the have nots- it’s a crime for working people to seek decent wages and affordable healthcare…Book em’ Dano.”