California Guards Fight for Fair Pay, Better Training

0:00It's April 20th, from your city to your ears. This is California News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. California security guards are pulling in low wages around $44,000 a year right at the poverty line while their company's rake in 34 billion in revenue. State Senator Lola Smallwood Quavas has introduced Senate Bill 1203 to boost their pay, ramp out training, and give unions a stronger shot. At organizing, with 330,000 guards working in the state, it's one of the biggest work forces around. These folks face tougher gigs now, handling smash and grab robberies and stepping up for big events like this year's World Cup in LA and the Bay Area, the 2027 Super Bowl in Inglewood and the 2028 Olympics. The bill pushes companies to offer better use of force and arrest training only through union deals, plus pay time for training and a wage review by. Officers come 2028. Lawmakers are backing it hard, with the Senate Business Committee advancing the measure

1:02unanimously last week to the Public Safety Committee for A. Both this Tuesday, supporters see guards as everyday first responders keeping scenes secure until cops arrive, and labor unions like SEIU are pouring serious support behind it. Industry reps are pushing back. Warning the changes could add a billion dollars in costs yearly, spike even higher with small raises and push. These toward automation, cutting jobs. One lobby is called California's current training top notch, but said this goes overboard. The bills got momentum from union clout and Sacramento, building on wins like ride share organizing, so keep an eye on how it plays out for these. Got online workers holding down the safety net.