Published: January 21, 2010
Private security officers who keep guests, employees and visitors safe at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center had much to celebrate this Martin Luther King Day. Because of a new union contract, these hardworking men and women get to share in the success of this massive, luxury property. They are also an example of the fact that security and other service jobs in Prince George's County don't have to pay poverty wages.
The new contract makes meaningful differences in the lives of private security officers like a Fort Washington [father] who has worked in the hotel industry for 15 years. Because of the wage increases he'll receive over the life of the contract, he is now able to pay more toward his kids' school tuition, pay for the ever-increasing price of gas so he can get to work and has the job security so important in these times of economic instability. Many officers will also be able to afford health insurance as a result of the agreement.
Prince George's County officials can help thousands more working families gain much-needed stability and economic help by ensuring the county's prevailing wage rules include standard-raising legislation for property services workers. The [Washington] D.C., City Council has already taken such steps by ensuring that all District workers have paid sick leave and that private security officers earn the same minimum compensation as their federal counterparts.
The legislation would help working men and women in Prince George's County move out of poverty and receive employer-paid health care coverage and state-of-the-art training so they can do their jobs most effectively. Further, turning these poverty jobs into good jobs with benefits means these workers will no longer be forced to depend on costly public programs paid for with taxpayer dollars.
For too long, security officers in Maryland and throughout the country, who are predominantly African American, have struggled to get by on poverty-like wages. Left unaddressed, these workers, their families and our communities are caught in a vicious cycle of poverty. Security officers are not alone in this struggle to make ends meet. Too many low-wage and underemployed workers have to make difficult choices between rent, medicine, food and the utilities.
While unions continue working to improve the lives of working families and strengthen our communities, elected officials in Prince George's County and throughout Maryland can and should support this effort to raise standards in our communities. Helping to create good paying jobs by bringing prevailing wage laws in line with today's economic realities is an important step to help kick-start our economy and give more men and women the opportunity to realize Dr. King's dream — the American Dream.
Valarie Long is a Laurel resident and vice president of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ in Washington, D.C. 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers in the country.
