Security officers authorize strike

Workers reject employer proposal of 30 cent wage increases for first year of new collective bargaining agreement

SEATTLE, WA (September 4, 2025) — On Friday, SEIU6 security officers voted unanimously to reject the latest employer proposal on a new collective bargaining agreement that would cover nearly 5,000 security officers working in King County. The latest proposal fell short of security officers’ needs and expectations in several areas, reports the union, including transparency around post orders, rules around subcontracting, and notifications when AI and automation are being implemented in the workplace. Overall, SEIU6 Security officers cited wages as the leading reason for voting down the proposal.

Currently, the median salary for security officers working in King County is under $55,000, according to a bargaining survey by SEIU6. 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. Some of these companies reported record revenues in 2024, up more than 10% from previous years; for Microsoft, $245 billion, for Meta, $164.50 billion, and for Amazon, $638 billion.

Yet security officers have been offered a wage increase of only 30 cents in the first year, per the union.

SEIU6 security officers rallying in downtown Seattle in late August. Photo: SEIU6

“The math is not mathing. My rent went up, and now I spend about three quarters of my income just on rent. What is thirty cents going to do? Moving is so expensive; it’s like you’re trapped,” said Ahmed, a security officer. “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.”

As was recently reported in the Seattle Times, a renter needs to make nearly $92,000 to be able to afford a one bedroom apartment in King County. With a median salary below $55,000 and so small a wage increase, accepting the employer proposal would see security officers’ wages fall even farther behind.

“I voted no because the raise they offered doesn’t match up with inflation, like groceries and especially gas,” said Virgilio, a security officer. “I get paid weekly, and my paycheck isn’t enough if I have unexpected priorities, like car maintenance. Pretty soon I will have to change my breaks and it’s going to cost $1,000 or more.”

“The economy doesn’t look good for 2026. Our income cannot catch up with inflation and especially rent,” noted another security officer, Andy. “A lot of people will struggle more with inflation. We need a big increase.”

Per the union, the small proposed wage increase is a sign that employers are both undervaluing the security officer’s vital work and are out of touch with the true cost of living in one of the most expensive counties in the country.

“It’s clear to us that the companies are trying to negotiate wages that might’ve been acceptable 10 years ago, but we’re not in the same economy we were 10 years ago,” said SEIU6 Deputy Director & Security Bargaining Team Lead, Greg Ramirez. “Look at how much housing costs have changed in the past decade, and how much more our officers are tasked with, including dealing with the mental health crisis and citizens asserting their first amendment rights. We need wages that meet the moment workers are in right now.”

SEIU6 President Zenia Javalera echoed the need for meaningful wage increases that recognize the reality of working a security job.

“Security officers do hard, dangerous work that makes us all safer,” said Javalera. “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.”