Security Guards Will Get Pay Bump From Newark Housing Authority

NEWARK, NJ — The Newark Housing Authority recently passed a resolution that raises wages and boosts benefits for all security officers working at its buildings.

The security officers’ total compensation will be raised to $24.48 an hour with 12 paid holidays and starting vacation of two weeks, according to labor union 32BJ SEIU, which praised the new arrangement.

Newark already sets wage and benefit requirements for building service workers employed on city contracts, the resolution notes. Read the full document here, or view it below.

One of the largest public housing authorities in the United States, the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) manages more than 6,000 housing units and administers monthly housing assistance to over 7,000 households through its Housing Choice Voucher Program.

The NHA has 45 developments in almost every neighborhood in the city, according to its website.

Setting higher wage and benefit standards for security encourages guards to stay on the job longer – while also providing residents with more experienced officers, 32BJ SEIU asserted.

“When wages are low, security contractors struggle to recruit guards,” vice president and New Jersey state director Ana Maria Hill said, adding that higher wages decrease turnover and improve performance.

Christine Gilford, a former security officer at a Newark Housing Authority building, worked a security job for years and enjoyed serving public housing tenants.

“Working as contracted security, you can feel like the wages and benefits you earn hang in the balance,” Gilford said. “But setting wage and benefit standards protects us from having to worry about a contractor coming in and giving us less.”

• See Related: Newark Council To Housing Authority: ‘Give Workers’ Jobs Back’

Newark joins Hoboken as one of only two in the state that have set these types of standards, union spokespeople said.

Mayor Ras Baraka gave the resolution a thumbs-up.

“Newark Housing Authority security officers keep residents safe and secure their buildings – they deserve fair wages and benefits,” Baraka said. “Raising standards for all security working at Housing Authority buildings ensures all are treated fairly and with respect. It will also lead to experienced officers staying on the job longer, giving residents peace of mind.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.