Security guards on strike at Downtown Detroit buildings

Workers demand better pay, training, support

DETROIT – Security guards at several Downtown Detroit buildings are on strike as of Thursday morning.

The guards are employed by Secur-America. They work at several buildings owned by Dan Gilbert. They include the First National Building, One Campus Martius, One Woodward, Chrysler House, Chase Tower, Ally Center and Federal Reserve.

Workers are said to be pushing for $15 per house minimum wage. They also are pushing for better training and support from management. 

"There are a lot of things that are coming to the public's attention about what we're doing and we're up against and the public needs to know that we need, for one thing, better training. If an emergency happens, we're not really prepared for it," said Mattie Hunter, one of the security guards on strike. "And people need to be adequately compensated for putting their lives on the line. We are actually first responders, and when police and fire come they come to us to get the details."

It's also being reported janitors represented by the union who work in buildings would not cross picket lines.


About the Author:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.