New York, NY – The New York City Council has passed the Aland Etienne Safety and Security Act to upgrade private security officers.
This legislation addresses the need to raise salaries of private security officers. The average officer makes $40,311 and 37.8% lack health insurance. The legislation guarantees wage, benefits, and paid time off standards for the city’s 81,900 private security officers.
The legislation is named for Aland Etienne, the security officer and 32BJ SEIU member who was tragically killed while trying to save lives during the July mass shooting at 345 Park Ave.
“In July, we lost our union brother Aland Etienne in a senseless act of violence,” said 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich. “Aland gave his life trying to protect others. He is a New York hero. In his memory, we have been fighting to recognize and uplift the thousands of security officers like him. Despite putting their lives on the line to keep our city safe, security officers have been overlooked for too long. The Aland Etienne Safety and Security Act will ensure each and every security officer can earn a living wage, access affordable health care, and take time off to recuperate. This marks a historic win for thousands of working people. We are proud to be uplifting the people like Aland who are on the front-lines of keeping our city safe.”
