King County security officers unanimously reject 30-cent wage increase, authorize strike

Approximately 5,000 security officers in the SEIU6 workers’ union voted unanimously Tuesday to reject an employer proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement and approved a strike, the SEIU6 announced.

SEIU6 is comprised of King County security officers who protect transit centers, hospitals, and tech campuses.

“A largely Black and brown workforce, union security officers protect the public as well as properties at sites including Sound Transit, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft,” SEIU6 stated.

King County security officers reject latest proposal, approve strike

SEIU6 cited its reasoning for the latest proposal rejection pertained to transparency around shift commands, subcontracting rules, wages, and notifications for AI and automation implementation within the workplace.

Wages were the primary reason the SEIU6 rejected the proposal, which provided a 30-cent wage increase in the first year. The previous collective bargaining agreement expired on Aug. 31.

“The math is not mathing. My rent went up, and now I spend about 75% of my income just on rent. What is $.30 going to do?” SEIU6 member Ahmed said. “Moving is so expensive; it’s like you’re trapped. I work night shift, which is taxing on my body. After my bills, I have about $300 left. Nothing is getting lower; everything is going up. You just spend your time trying to survive.”

SEIU6 noted that the current median salary for security officers in King County is less than $55,000, according to a bargaining survey by the SEIU6.

“Security officers do hard, dangerous work that makes us all safer,” SEIU6 President Zenia Javalera said. “Whatever issues our community is dealing with, security officers face at work. We won’t stop until we win a fair contract that dignifies their essential work.”

The SEIU6 told KIRO 7 that once a strike was voted on and approved, a new bargaining session was scheduled for Sept. 18.

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