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UNION CONSIDERATIONS
It is my opinion that unions have no place in the security business. I have seen many problems caused by this situation. In one case, the security force (a proprietary bargaining unit) called a strike and walked off the job leaving the job site unprotected and vulnerable. In another situation, the union contract called for a rotation schedule which put each officer in position of shift leader one week out of six. (Hours worked in this position were paid at a premium.) The problem, of course, was that frequently the least experienced and least qualified of the officers was put in a position of authority over seasoned officers more capable of effective command. In other situations, scheduling has been handled exclusively on a seniority basis regardless of the capability of a particular officer to handle a specific post.
The National Labor Relations Act contains an exclusionary section known commonly as the Guard Rule. In essence, this provides that unions which represent non-security workers cannot also represent security personnel. It doesn't make this situation illegal per se, but the employer has no responsibility to negotiate with or even recognize the bargaining unit. The intent, of course, was presumably to insure that adequate protection would exist at a facility in the event of a strike--and that the loyalty of the security officers would be with the company or the union representing the guards, not with the union representing the other hourly personnel. This rule is why you don't see Teamster security officers or UAW guards and the problems that might emerge in such situations.
When considering a security guard agency which is represented by a union, it is highly recommended that the reputation of the union be established, as well as that of the relevant security agency. There are some unions which, I believe, should not be representing guards.
For instance, some time ago the Allied International Union had 700 private security guards as members. This union was a joint venture of the Genovese, Gambino, and Colombo families. Two of the partners became deceased making it an exclusive Colombo operation under Michael Franzese, who was identified as the 18th highest ranking Mafia boss by Fortune magazine during this union's reign. A onetime official of this union, Daniel Cunningham, admitted to trying to call a strike of guards at nuclear power plants. Cunningham, who took $134,000 a year back then in salary and expense, also put his wife, girlfriend, and ex-wife on the payroll. He was eventually indicted for embezzlement, racketeering, and bribery.
This illustration is not meant to imply that all unions representing guards are operated by organized crime figures. Most unions representing guards, from all indications, are reputable and above board. However, a former president's recommendation to "Trust but Verify" seems applicable here.
If you do consider a security firm which is unionized, there are many questions you should ask:
What happens in the event of a strike by security officers? How is your property protected?
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