SoBe Guards March to Unionize
City commissioner marches with them
By CARLOS MILLER
Updated 9:47 AM EDT, Sun, Aug 30, 2009
In its continuing effort to unionize South Beach security guards, Service Employees International Union staged a protest march on Friday that winded through Lincoln Road before making its way to Miami Beach City Hall.
Marching with them was Miami Beach City Commissioner Jerry Libbin, who is supporting the security guards in this battle.
Last month, Security Alliance, the company that employs the security guards, which mostly patrol Lincoln Road on bicycle, fired one of its workers after he was interviewed by the Miami New Times about wanting to unionize.
“And they’ve been threatening other workers to fire them as well,” said SEIU organizer Eric Brakken.
So now they are trying to place the pressure on city hall to seek out a new company for its security services.
This Thursday during its regular meeting, the Miami Beach finance committee will discuss whether Security Alliance has complied with its end of the contract.
The security guards make about ten dollars and hour and receive no benefits. They also receive no training, according to Brakken, who says that places everyday residents and tourists in danger.
“They also had a 120 percent turnover rate last year,” Brakken said. “You have a situation where the company is not delivering the highest quality of security to Miami Beach.”
First Published: Aug 29, 2009 11:06 AM EDT
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