NOON prayer vigil with faith leaders, update on contract talks today at 4:30 p.m. (PST)

San Francisco-As contract talks for more than 4,000 Bay Area security officers resume today, workers are entering the third day of the first strike among private security officers in the history of San Francisco. To mark the first bargaining session since security officers went on strike, area faith leaders will hold a prayer vigil at NOON. An update on talks is also planned for 4:30PM.

San Francisco security officers are continuing their strike in protest of their employers' use of intimidation, harassment, and other unlawful practices. The strike is in response to the companies' violation of security officers' rights during an ongoing labor dispute over industry standards.

SCHEDULE OF DAY 3 STRIKE EVENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO: Wednesday, September 26

7:00 a.m. - Security Officers' Picket Lines Up
Launching Ground: One Front Street (plaza on Market between Front and First)

9:15 a.m. - March from Strike Launching Ground to Contract Talks
March Begins from One Front Street (plaza on Market between Front and First)

12:00 p.m. - Prayer Vigil with San Francisco Faith Leaders
One Front Street (plaza on Market between Front and First)

4:30 p.m. - Update on Contract Talks for more then 4,000 Security Officers
Westin Hotel (3rd Street between Mission and Market Streets)

More than 4,000 San Francisco security officers have been working without a union contract for nearly three months. Despite protecting multi-billion dollar real estate properties throughout the Bay Area owned by economic powerhouses including investment banking giant Morgan Stanley, private security officers earn less than $24,000 a year-fully $5 an hour less than janitors who provide services in the same facilities-and are not offered affordable health insurance.

Although security officers are typically first responders to emergency situations in high-rise office buildings, low wages and lack of access to quality affordable health care are contributing to a turnover rate estimated by industry experts to be as high as 300%. Coupled with inadequate training standards cited by security officers, poor conditions in the private security industry mean a greater threat to public safety and building security.

For more information visit www.StopTheDoubleStandards.org.

Additional Media Contact: Lynda Tran, 202-907-1172

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