California Security Guards for Major Firms Launch Massive Strike

WHO:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Nearly 14,000 security guards represented by SEIU United Service Workers West.

Fast Company - SEIU-USWW president David Huerta.

WHAT:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Security guards began striking in a labor dispute over pay, benefits, training, and alleged unfair labor practices.

ABC7 Los Angeles - The strike began at 4:30 a.m. and affects security personnel at luxury stores and major tech companies.

Fast Company - The workers are aiming for hourly pay of $30, better healthcare coverage, expanded retirement benefits, and improved training.

Fast Company - Some security contractors proposed a $0.65 raise over the next two years, while Allied Universal offered a $0.25 raise in 2027 with no raises for the following three years.

WHERE:

ABC7 Los Angeles - The strike is occurring across the Bay Area and Southern California, specifically in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Fast Company - Security guards provide services for companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, Salesforce, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Cisco, and Netflix.

WHEN:

ABC7 Los Angeles - The strike began on a Friday morning.

Fast Company - The union members voted to authorize a strike earlier in the month.

WHY:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Workers are struggling to make ends meet despite protecting billions of dollars in wealth.

Fast Company - The union highlights the disparity between the hourly pay of security workers and the wealth of the tech companies they serve.

HOW:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Workers rallied and picketed in downtown San Francisco, holding signs to express their grievances.

Fast Company - The workers have been in talks with major security contractors for months as they seek a new contract agreement.

(UPDATED September 19, 2026 09:57 UTC)

Nearly 14,000 security guards represented by SEIU United Service Workers West have begun striking in a labor dispute over pay, benefits, training, and alleged unfair labor practices, impacting luxury stores and major tech companies across the Bay Area and Southern California. The workers are demanding an hourly pay of $30, better healthcare coverage, expanded retirement benefits, and improved training, while some contractors have proposed minimal raises. As they rally and picket in downtown San Francisco, the union emphasizes the struggle of workers to make ends meet despite protecting billions of dollars in wealth for the tech companies they serve.