Members of Marist Security took to Route 9 on April 5, with signs in hand, picketing for the third time, asking for an adequate contract from Marist College. Cars passed by, honking their horns and underscoring their plea: “Fairness and respect for Marist Security.”

“We don’t want to be out here right now,” said Lee Vincent-Loughran, vice president of the local 518 chapter of the SPFPA union and Marist Security employee. “This is not where we belong; we belong on campus with the community.”

Security had a “handshake” agreement with Marist that they were happy with until 2019. Before then, they never felt the need to have union representation like other departments on campus, such as groundskeeping and maintenance, which are represented by the Service Employees International Union.

In 2020, Security’s benefits were rolled back. Now, they do not have the same benefits as other departments on campus. Employees used to have a choice between double time pay or a sick day to take at another time as compensation for working a holiday. They no longer have the ability to accumulate sick days.

Marist Security voted to become unionized in September 2022. They are now represented by The International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America.

“Myself and Jon Littlefield have been working with Marist College Human Resources since 2019 to gain a workable contract,” said Henry Graham, the president of local 518 SPFPA. “In 2020, I was informed by Human Resources that the school can no longer negotiate with Marist Security unless we unionize.”

“What they’re offering is way below what other departments are getting,” said a Marist Security employee who preferred to remain anonymous.

Agreements with the school have been frustrating for the union; they don’t believe in the reasons offered by Marist.

“How can you say it’s not legal or permitted when you’re giving it to another union?” the same employee said.

Christina Daniele, vice president of human resources at Marist, commented from the school’s perspective.

“While the College cannot comment on active labor matters, we can share that we are engaged in good-faith negotiations with union representatives towards an initial contract between the College and Marist security employees,” said Daniele.

Although it has been a long process, Daniele believes that an agreement is on the horizon.

“We’ve successfully reached tentative agreements on many elements of bargaining, and are optimistic that we can resolve the remaining issues through further good-faith bargaining,” she said. “We are hopeful that an overall contract will be finalized in the near future.”

Graham is determined to see a satisfying outcome for the union.

“I'm looking forward to getting back to the table and hammering out a fair and respectful contract for the Marist Security Officer,” said Graham.

Vincent-Loughran has been a Marist employee for 17 years. The job has gotten more challenging throughout the years, and their current benefits do not reflect that development.

“That shows you what a good job it was. Why else would you stay?” said Vincent-Loughran.

Since starting the job, Vincent-Loughran said that staff had to become adept in new technology and systems, making the job more difficult.

“The campus community, the grass we’re standing on, it grows, does it not? This campus is ever-changing. Our jobs are changing,” she added.

Vincent-Loughran stressed the importance of Security’s job. Marist Security is on campus 365 days a year. When there is a problem on campus at 3 a.m., and everyone else has gone home, security is there to take the call. Many security staff members feel their work is overlooked.

“It’s a terrible thing to feel invisible,” Vincent-Loughran said. “We’re invisible until we’re needed, and then we’re forgotten again.”

Marist Security Pickets for a Contract

MARIST CIRCLE