Raul Velazquez, an officer in San Diego County, and his coworkers, fought to win respect, fairness, and a real voice on the job. Over the past couple of years, officers met often with city and county officials at the Hall of Justice to make clear that security officers deserve fair wages, strong benefits, and union representation. Despite these efforts, their employer refused to allow workers to organize or bargain collectively, creating stressful working conditions for officers who protect public facilities every day.
That fight took a turn when INTER-CON took over the county contract at the end of October 2024. Beginning in March 2025, SEIU and INTER-CON entered negotiations that, while challenging at first, ultimately led to the breakthrough agreement. “There are no limits except those you place on yourself,” Raul said. “This victory shows what’s possible when workers stick together. We made history, and there was no better way to close out the year.”