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April 14, 2008
Getting it -- kind of
I've been posting a number of pieces complaining about how companies fail to recognize the value of their front line employees. Here is an opposite story from today's Washington Post -- Security Guards Get Union Contract - washingtonpost.com. According to the story:
The agreement, signed last week by the Service Employees International Union and Admiral Security, AlliedBarton, Guardsmark and Securitas, is the first union contract for private security guards working in commercial buildings in the District.
While the wages and benefits are not high, the agreement does provide for higher wages than required by DC law and greater benefits. More important seems to be the attitude of some in the industry. For example:
Todd Carroll, a senior vice president with Admiral Security Services, said, "I think it is good for the industry. There are a lot of companies that don't give the wages and benefits they should to their officers."
Mr. Carroll seems to get it. If you want steady employees, you have to treat them fairly. Remember, when Henry Ford increased his wages to the unheard of level of $5 per day in 1914, he didn't do it because he was a nice guy. He did it to reduce the turnover and absenteeism that was disrupting the assembly line.
In the case of a security guard, I want someone on duty that treats the job seriously and is paying attention. Paying a decent wage is one step in ensuring that outcome. I've glad to see that the local security industry has recognized that.
Posted by Ken Jarboe at April 14, 2008 9:08 AM
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