This weekend, security professionals will begin to arrive in Philadelphia for the ASIS International 2012 security industry conference, which is themed "Driving Security's Future". Building a better future for the security industry--and the officers who are its driving force--has long been a top priority for the 35,000 security officers united in SEIU.

Security officers and supporters from Stand for Security will be speaking out to put good jobs, high standards and excellent value in the security industry at the center of this important discussion. Officers from Philadelphia and elsewhere will present conference goers with their blueprint for a 21st-century security industry, High Standards, Excellent Value: Security Officers' Vision for Our Industry's Future. You can sign up here to support the Security Officers. We will be blogging from ASIS 2012 throughout the conference, so check back for updates. Meanwhile, here is the officers' blueprint. High Standards, Excellent Value: Security Officers' Vision for Our Industry's Future. As front-line security officers, we believe that security employers, employees, and business and community leaders must work together to raise standards in our industry. By raising standards, we can provide excellent value for clients and grow our industry in a socially responsible manner. Here is how our industry can achieve this vision: 1. Generate the good jobs that our communities need--jobs that allow workers to spend money in local businesses and boost our local economies. 2. Foster safe and humane workplaces where all are treated equally, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, color or creed. 3. Honor security officers as heads of households and families. Pay officers--who provide millions in profits--what we rightfully earn. We and our families should have quality healthcare, healthy food, decent housing, access to education, and a dignified retirement. Good jobs will allow us to raise our children by giving us time to provide moral guidance, check homework, and enjoy family meals. 4. Create comprehensive standards for training. Better training will improve public safety and enhance customer service, which will attract new clients. 5. Reduce costly turnover. Limit the risks of operating with inexperienced officers and keep down the cost of constantly replacing workers by investing in and maintaining an experienced security workforce. In order to achieve these ends, security officers must have the freedom to form unions at our workplaces. By forming unions, we can build a relationship with employers based on honesty, open communication, and mutual respect. Only by working together can we raise standards in our industry--for the benefit of officers, employers, clients, our communities, and the public.