Thousands of Bay Area, SoCal security guards at major retailers and tech giants begin strike

Key Points:

• Nearly 14,000 union security officers across California began striking over pay, benefits, training, and alleged unfair labor practices, impacting contractors serving major tech companies and retailers in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
• The SEIU United Service Workers West union demands better pay, retirement benefits, health care, and training, criticizing offers of only a $0.65 raise over two years amid rising living costs and safety risks faced by guards.
• Security officers, many of whom earn a median wage of about $20 per hour—less than half the typical Bay Area worker's pay—are responsible for protecting high-value properties and confronting threats, yet struggle with financial insecurity.
• The strike has raised security concerns for companies like Anthropic, which advised employees to work from home during the labor action, while mediation between the union and employers is scheduled to begin soon.
• Security companies involved have responded cautiously, emphasizing employee support and operational safety, while some firms like Inter-Con Security reported no strike involvement and highlighted their positive labor relations.