UNI Property Services Global Conference unveils strategic plan to ensure “decent pay, safety, and respect at work.”

Union leaders from over 30 countries convened in Galway this week for the UNI Property Services Global Conference, where they adopted an ambitious plan to build union power in the cleaning and security sectors. Under the theme Raising Standards, delegates voted on strategic initiatives designed to tackle issues like low wages, job insecurity and unsafe working conditions while charting a path for the next four years.

A centerpiece of the conference was the adoption of Proposal 1: Raising Standards through Growth and Organizing, an initiative focused on expanding union membership and renewing global agreements with major employers, including ISS, G4S, Securitas and Loomis. The sector will revise and strengthen health and safety provisions and improve dispute mechanisms in these agreements, ensuring that workers are better protected and empowered.

“Workers face daily dangers, discrimination and inadequate pay,” said Michala Lafferty, Head of Property Services at UNI Global Union. “It’s time employers step up, raise standards, and ensure decent pay, safety and respect at work.”

Lafferty’s remarks were in response to the latest findings of UNI Global Union’s latest survey, full Insecurity in Security Work: A Global Survey of Working Conditions in the Security Sector. The survey, which covers 11,000 workers across 35 countries, painted a stark picture of the working conditions security officers endure.

“The findings of this survey are a cry for immediate action,” Lafferty continued, adding that the sector’s global plan will help member unions become stronger and more representative, particularly through campaigns that will extend the unions’ visibility in urban centres.

The conference also saw the re-election of Rocio Saenz of SEIU as global president of UNI Property Services, along with a new leadership committee, who will spearhead making the sector’s bold vision for the future a reality. Saenz and fellow union leaders highlighted the need for an expanded campaign to organize workers in key industries, such as airports, where job insecurity and health risks remain critical concerns for security and cleaning personnel.

One of the conference’s most celebrated moments was the recognition of organizing victories from around the world, including a transformative campaign in Kenya, where the union committed to organize 200,000 new members. These success stories were testimonies to how union organizing can significantly improve working conditions and build power for labour. 

A Broader Agenda to Raise Standards Globally

The conference also addressed other key proposals, including Proposal 2: Raising Standards by Lifting the Floor. This initiative includes plans to engage with private security employers and governments through the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA), focusing on freedom of association and accountability. UNI will help launch a living wage campaign in Indonesia, backed by major employer ISS, to promote fair wages and inclusive employment for women and workers with disabilities.

Delegates also pushed through Proposal 3: Raising Standards through a Fairer Public Procurement Process, recognizing the need to influence public procurement policies. The proposal aims to prevent events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup from becoming arenas for exploitative labour practices, advocating instead for fair treatment and worker protections through transparent and ethical procurement practices.

The event concluded with a strong commitment to Proposal 4: Raising Standards through Strong Governance Structures, emphasizing the need for an inclusive consultation process with all affiliates to ensure effective governance as the sector evolves.

Looking Ahead

As the conference drew to a close, the message was clear: the fight for dignity, respect, and fair treatment for all property services workers continues. Christy Hoffman, UNI Global Union’s General Secretary, who gave a rousing speech on the closing day, said: “Growth is not just about numbers, it’s about power to secure a better future for workers. We all know how to win so let’s get to it!”

Through these new proposals, UNI Global Union’s Property Services sector is set to advance the rights of some of the world’s most vulnerable workers, while setting a global standard for better working conditions.

For more information on the outcomes of the conference or to read the full Insecurity in Security Work.