Philly Security Guards Unionize for the First Time

2,500 Philadelphia security guards citywide have become unionized for the first time. Representing most of the city’s office buildings and establishments, they work at UPenn, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and probably your lobby.

Most officers will see their hourly wages increase from between $8 and $11 per hour to between $10.45 and $13 by the contract’s expiration on Sept. 30, 2016, the union said. Full-time officers will receive health benefits starting Jan. 1, 2014.

After failing in the mid-2000s to strike a deal, this comes as good news for labor a day after  state of Michigan passed a controversial bill restricting union influence. [Inquirer]