Hartford, CT—Dozens of security officers employed by SOS Security and their supporters marched through the streets of downtown Hartford this afternoon to protect their right to organize free of coercion. 32BJ filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against SOS Security for illegal surveillance of their employees after one of the security officers was threatened to be fired for engaging in union activity.

“Officers are being mistreated every day,” said SOS Security Officer April Piette. “In my 19 years as a security officer, I have never felt so disrespected. I carry over the discipline I learned in the Army and the Connecticut National Guard to my job so I can best protect the people of Connecticut. My coworkers and I deserve to be spoken to as the human beings we are, free of harassment and intimidation.”

Security officers marched with “I Am A Man” and “I Am A Woman” signs in remembrance of the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers strike to assert their right to standards that promote a better life for their families and communities. They are currently organizing for better wages, benefits, training, and respect from their employers.

“The state of Connecticut cannot continue to do business with contractors who disrespect our very own people,” State Rep. Timothy Bowles said. “We cannot rebuild the economy for the middle class with low-wage jobs that are, in turn, subsidized by our taxpayer dollars.”

“Public safety is more important today than it has ever been, and the men and women who keep us safe every day deserve to be treated in a way that recognizes their enormous responsibility towards us,” added U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

With more than 125,000 members, including 15,000 private security officers, 32BJ is the largest security officers union in the country.