San Francisco Security Guards Strike at Major Downtown Skyscrapers

Security guards in San Francisco went on strike on Friday at major downtown skyscrapers, including Salesforce Tower and the Transit Center. The Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West, which represents 14,000 security guards in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, had voted to authorize workers to walk off the job sites. This followed bargaining that continued into early morning hours on Tuesday, with negotiators declaring an impasse.

The union is seeking a $30-per-hour wage, stronger family health care benefits, better training, and safer working conditions for its members. Currently, the employers' offer of a 65-cent raise over two years falls short of what workers need to live in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, according to the union. Security guards are essential personnel who respond to emergencies and make real-time decisions, unlike AI systems that rely on human judgment.

The strike began at 6 a.m. Friday with picketing outside Salesforce Tower, 555 California St., and 101 California St. Workers, including Keven Adams, a 60-year-old security officer who has been working since the 1990s, emphasized the importance of their role in ensuring building safety.