In balloting conducted Tuesday, Local 26 security officers voted 278-26 against a new agreement with five security companies - ABM, Allied Barton, American, Securitas and Viking.

"Their last offer makes health care less and less affordable with each year of the contract," Local 26 President Javier Morillo said. "What we hope is to return to the (bargaining) table, but all options are open."

In early February, Local 26 members authorized union leadership to call a strike if necessary. The union, which represents about 800 security officers, held a one-day walkout at selected worksites Feb. 25.

Contract talks went on for more than three months and the security officers have been working without a contract since Jan. 1.

The employers\' proposal would require workers to pay as much as $1,100 a month for family coverage, well beyond what they can afford, the union said. Morillo confirmed that health care remains the major stumbling block to a settlement, adding, "If we resolve this issue, I feel confident we\'ll get a contract very quickly."

Guy Thomas, a spokesman for the security companies, said, "We are concerned about the low turnout. Out of 800, far less than half of them voted on this contract."

Thomas said the companies "have put a last, best and final offer on the table. An important part of that last, best and final offer was the commitment of the companies to identify and offer affordable health care for our employees. We will go back to the table to listen to what the union has to say regarding our last, best and final offer."

No date has been set for a meeting, Thomas said.

Currently, just 13 out of the nearly 800 officers are enrolled in family health insurance and just 17 percent are enrolled in any health plan at all through their employer, the union said.

Several elected officials, including Congressman Keith Ellison, joined the security officers\' news conference at Minneapolis City Hall to announce the results of the contract vote. They called on building owners – who hire the security companies – to encourage them to offer affordable health care.

"Working families in Minnesota need quality health care," said Ellison. "Building owners in our city have both the ability and the obligation to do more to ensure that workers and their children have a relationship with a doctor, not just an emergency room."

The United States needs "a strategy for a high-wage economy and this means health care for everyone," Ellison added. He closed by telling the workers, "We\'re going to stick with you. You are not alone."

Other elected officials attending the news conference included Minneapolis City Council members Elizabeth Glidden, Betsy Hodges, Ralph Remington, Don Samuels and Gary Schiff.

For more information
See the Workday special section on the Stand for Security Campaign