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City Leaders Push for Better Wages and Workplace Rights at GardaWorld
The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has officially voiced its support for over 100 contracted GardaWorld security officers working at St. Louis Lambert International Airport as they organize to join SEIU Local 1, a prominent union representing service workers across the Midwest.
This move comes as security officers allege the company is paying substandard wages in violation of the St. Louis Living Wage Ordinance (LWO). In response, the Board of Aldermen unanimously passed Board Bill 128 to amend the LWO and close potential loopholes that may have allowed contractors to sidestep wage requirements.
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Resolution Aims to Strengthen Worker Protections
The city’s resolution formally recognizes the important role contracted security officers play in protecting travelers, airport staff, and critical infrastructure. It urges GardaWorld to voluntarily recognize SEIU Local 1 as the official bargaining representative for the officers and engage in good-faith contract negotiations.
“This legislative body has a duty to support, protect and defend members of our community fighting against corporate greed,” the resolution states. “We remind GardaWorld that it’s the working people of St. Louis which fuels its operations.”
The resolution is a clear message to GardaWorld: Respect the rights of employees to unionize and negotiate for improved working conditions.
Contract Nearing Expiration
GardaWorld’s current contract with the City of St. Louis is a $36 million agreement that began in 2020 and is set to expire in April following two prior extensions. The timing of the union effort could impact future business decisions, especially as city leaders express interest in working only with contractors who support fair labor practices.
Chris Rak, SEIU Local 1 vice president and director of Missouri and Southern Illinois, emphasized the stakes for officers and taxpayers alike.
“GardaWorld’s contract with the city expires in April, and we want to make sure the city does business with a responsible contractor that respects the working people of our city,” Rak said.
He added that GardaWorld’s security officers deserve a meaningful voice on the job and should not be left at the mercy of corporate decisions without representation.
Political and Community Support
The resolution, led by Alderman Anne Schweitzer (Ward 1), has galvanized political support around labor rights at one of the city’s most visible public sites.
“Security officers at Lambert Airport are organizing a union to improve their working conditions and the lives of their families,” Schweitzer said. “I’m proud to take a stand with them and will continue working with Local 1 to ensure that GardaWorld officers at Lambert are able to organize without any interference or retaliation by their employer.”
The measure aligns with broader efforts across the country to protect the rights of essential workers, especially those in contracted and high-security roles.
SEIU Local 1: A Force for Worker Advocacy
SEIU Local 1 represents 45,000 workers across the Midwest, including janitors, airport staff, security personnel, food service workers, and educators. The union is recognized for its commitment to advancing economic justice, workplace safety, and equitable wages, while also advocating for broader issues such as immigrant rights, racial equity, and environmental protection.
Their support at Lambert Airport signals not only a labor campaign but also a larger push for accountability from private security contractors like GardaWorld — one of the world’s largest security firms.
What Comes Next
With the April expiration of GardaWorld’s contract looming, the pressure is on both the company and the city to address worker concerns before new agreements are signed.
The outcome could influence future contracting policies, not just in St. Louis but in other municipalities considering how much weight to give to labor practices in vendor selection. For the officers on the front lines at Lambert Airport, the support from elected officials is a key step toward fair wages, safe working conditions, and a stronger voice on the job.
