Guards working for Warwick security firm want to unionize, seek better pay and hours
Linda BorgPROVIDENCE – Security guards have renewed their demand that a Warwick-based security firm, USENTRA, allow them to unionize, citing unfair working conditions.
A protest outside of Providence Community Health Centers on Prairie Avenue, was the first of two rallies Thursday. The second, attended by Democratic congressional candidate and General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, was held in front of Kent Hospital.
"I am proud to stand with the security workers at Kent Hospital to offer my support," Magaziner said. "All workers deserve good pay, fair benefits and the right to join a union, and I will fight for these fundamental rights for all Rhode Island workers in Congress."
Security guards want to join Local 32BJ
Kent Hospital is among the Rhode Island locations that employ USENTRA security guards, in addition to Brown University, The Providence Journal printing plant and others.
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The guards want to join the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ, which represents 20,000 cleaners, janitors and security personnel in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Security guards complaints
The security guards said under USENTRA, they work unpredictable schedules and for irregular pay, and that they never know where they will be assigned from one day to the next.
One of those guards, Kent Gallimore, said he is paid $24 an hour at one job and $18 at another.
“I should be paid the same wage,” he said at the morning rally on Prairie Avenue. “Everybody deserves better pay. The company ignores me. A union will give us more respect.”
The SEIU has already filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming that USENTRA has interfered with the workers’ legal rights to organize.
“They are seeking to be members of the union,” said Dan Nicolai, organizational coordinator for SEIU. “The union is asking the company to engage in a fair process.”
Nicolai said the company has tried to intimidate employees, by telling them not to speak to the media. One outspoken security guard was supposed to speak at Thursday’s rally but the company assigned him to work in Boston at the last minute, the union said.
Nicholai said the union met with USENTRA in August and tried to explain its position but talks faltered.
USENTRA denies intimidating employees
Company President Ben Lupovitz on Thursday denied that USENTRA has intimidated employees or refused to discuss unionization, but would not say if the talks were continuing.
“This is a company focused on its employees,” he said. “Our company is great because of all of the wonderful people who are part of our success. We continue to look for ways to make this a better place to work. We always welcome input from our most valuable resource.”
Nicolai said security officers traveled to the company's offices with a petition, and the union reached out to the company via phone, but there was no response.
Laura Casaras, a member of the SEIU and a cleaner at Fidelity, said she wants security guards to share the same rights that she has.
“In 2007, I became a union member and I received the dignity and respect that I deserved,” she told two dozen protesters. “As workers, we have to defend our rights. We’re here for you guys. We’re not moving until you do.”
State Rep. David Morales, D-Providence, said that for years, security officers have been earning poverty wages.
“We deserve the labor rights we are entitled to,” he said. “Shame on you, USENTRA. Shame. This is why we continue to fight.”
The SEIU's membership, which totals more than 175,000, is primarily located in the Northeast, and it is the largest property service workers union in the country.
Linda Borg covers education for the Journal.
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