At noon on Friday, August 21, security officers employed by Abacus Security in the Harbor East district of Baltimore walked off the job for a second Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike since April 2026. The non‑union workforce says they are being denied basic workplace protections, including health care, and are being barred from speaking to the press about unsafe conditions – a restriction the National Labor Relations Board deems illegal.
Workers cite discrimination and retaliation
According to a recently filed ULP charge, the officers allege that Abacus Security has engaged in discriminatory actions and retaliation for legally protected union activity. The strike follows a similar walkout earlier this year that caused the company to lose a Baltimore City Government contract.
Officer Justin, who was on duty during a violent confrontation at 901 S. Bond Street on June 8, said he received little support after perpetrators battered the building’s windows, threw water bottles and attempted to force entry. “We just want to feel safe and able to do our job,” he told reporters.
Safety concerns highlighted by recent data
A new report from the Berkeley Center for Labor Studies shows security officers die on the job at more than twice the rate of the average worker, with nearly two‑thirds of fatal injuries resulting from assaults or other violent acts. The report also notes an 89 percent turnover rate in the industry in 2024, a figure that threatens public safety by draining experienced personnel.
Abacus workers describe a rise in “teen takeovers,” altercations and disorderly conduct at the sites they patrol. They argue that low wages, minimal benefits and unreliable schedules make it difficult to retain staff, especially when compared with higher‑pay positions such as those at San Francisco International Airport, where turnover is lower and service quality higher.
Political response
Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos announced she would meet with Abacus officers to hear their concerns directly. While the councilwoman’s involvement underscores the city’s interest in maintaining public safety, the dispute remains a labor‑rights issue that falls under the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board.
Thirty‑two BJ SEIU, the union representing many property‑service workers, has filed seven ULP charges against Abacus Security to date. The union counts roughly 1,700 members in Baltimore and 190,000 members across twelve states, making it the nation’s largest property‑service workers union.
Looking ahead
The strike adds pressure on Abacus Security to address the workers’ grievances before further contract losses occur. City officials and labor advocates will be watching closely as the dispute unfolds, given its implications for both employee safety and the reliability of security services in a busy downtown area.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
