SECURITY ON THE MOVE: Meet Nanette Williams

The “Security On The Move...” campaign is in full gear with many large security contracts up in 2022.

Each month, we will include a special Q&A interview with security officers who are movers at their workplace and making a difference. This month we’re featuring Nanette Williams.

Why did you become a security officer?
I’ve been a security officer now for 18 years. It kind of happened by chance. I went with a friend who was applying for a job as security. I was waiting in the lobby and a man asked if I wanted to apply too. I filled out an application and did an interview and got the job.

I started in 2003 where I worked at LaSalle Bank and now I work with Allied Universal at The Franklin.

What do you like most about your job?
I like helping others. I get to talk to a variety of people every day. 

How did your job change when Covid started?
A lot of tenants stopped coming. I didn’t get a lot of one-on-one time with them like I used to. Even now, in my building tenants haven’t been coming in like they used to be.

A lot of security officers got Covid, a lot of us had to take off. My dad died from Covid. It was traumatic. With social distancing I didn’t get to say goodbye like I wanted to. 

When we were first offered vaccines, me and three other co-workers were the first to get it.  I felt relief when I got the vaccine. It meant that me and my family could be safer.

What do you want in your new contract?
I want us to get a pay raise. A lot of us security officers came to work even though the building was empty, risking our own health. I don’t feel like I make enough to make ends meet. I live check by check to get my bills paid.

Why should people get involved in the fight for a new contract?
It takes more than one or two of us to get things done. I don't work this building by myself. I can't go in and ask for a good contract by myself. We need to be a team. Attend the meetings, speak up. Stand your ground. A closed mouth do not get fed.

What do you like to do outside of work?
I take my teenager to the mall, we listen to music, we watch movies. My boy just went and saw the new Spiderman. As soon as the summer hit I will be at Taste of Chicago and get out of the house and see some live music.