Boston Security Guards Threaten Strike Over Health Care
Workers represented by 32BJ SEIU are demanding improved health benefits after their previous contracts expired.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Unions
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Boston security guards are threatening to strike following the expiration of their contracts as they push for access to a new health fund. The 3,200 workers represented by the 32BJ SEIU union seek to eliminate premiums and deductibles currently burdening their families.
Why it matters
Security guards are rallying to force employers to join the 32BJ Health Fund, arguing that current employer-offered plans are insufficient. The move seeks to ensure consistent coverage for a workforce where 15 percent of full-time staff remain uninsured.
Of the security guards represented by 32BJ SEIU, 40 percent rely on the Massachusetts Health Connector or a spouse's plan, while only one-third utilize an employer-offered plan. Nine out of 10 contractors are currently receptive to the union's demands.
The players
32BJ SEIU
This is a large labor union that represents service workers including security guards, cleaners, and maintenance staff across the United States.
Northeast Security
This is a major security services firm that employs 1,400 of the workers involved in the current contract negotiations.
The details
Union organizers and workers rallied at Post Office Square to protest the refusal of employers to move coverage to the 32BJ Health Fund. Guards at buildings such as the One Congress building report that current plans include high deductibles that make basic care difficult to afford.
Timeline
Union contracts for security guards expired on July 31, 2026.
Security guards held a rally at Post Office Square on October 8, 2026.
Political Context
Some employers and industry groups argue that mandated participation in specific union-run health funds creates unsustainable cost burdens for contractors. These groups often contend that private market health plans offer more flexibility than standardized union trust funds.
A potential strike could disrupt security operations at major buildings across Boston, potentially impacting access for tenants and visitors. Residents should be aware that the negotiations involve workers across the city, which may lead to security staffing changes or building service delays.
The takeaway
The dispute highlights the ongoing struggle for affordable, employer-sponsored health coverage in the service industry. Security personnel are increasingly leveraging collective bargaining to bypass high deductibles and inconsistent benefits.
Further reading
Learn more about the ongoing labor negotiations in Boston Unions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Boston Globe.
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Should employers be required to provide standardized health benefits to their contract workers?
