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Grace A. Dunn Middle School on Dayton Street in Trenton in a 2006 photo.

(Martin Griff / The Times of Trenton)

TRENTON - A group of security guards contracted to work in Trenton Public Schools is seeking to unionize amid complaints about low pay and lack of paid time off.

"We feel as though we need somebody to protect us against things that may have happened in the past," said Lakesha Peeples, who works as a security officer at the Daylight/Twilight High School.

"If I take off, I have to be like half-dead," said Peeples, adding that if she calls out she is not paid for that day. "I have to make sure that I can provide for my kids."

If school is closed or cancelled for any reason, the guards go unpaid, Peeples said. Peeples said there are about 130 contracted security officers in the district and the main complaint is low pay.

"It is not enough money," she said. "We want them to look after us as well as we work for the students."

Peeples and her colleagues are private employees of US Security Associates, which has a contract with the Trenton school district to provide security for the schools. The guards were formerly district employees, but were outsourced in 2010.

US Security Associates did not respond to a request for comment.

The security workers have been meeting with representatives from SEIU 32BJ, the Service Employees International Union, about joining. The union currently represents about 130 food service employees that work in Trenton schools, who organized with the union in 2012,

"32BJ is standing by these hardworking men and women who want to join our union because they know our mission is to ensure workers receive a living wage, benefits and an opportunity to provide a bright future for themselves and their families," Kevin Brown, the union's vice president, said in a statement.

"I would argue that most parents wouldn't want to nickel and dime the security of their kids," Brown said. "Trenton school security officers protect students and teachers yet they don't make enough to care for their own children. And these dedicated workers can't afford to get sick because they don't get paid when they don't come to work. Security officers deserve better."

The union has not begun negotiations with US Security Associates in New Jersey, said union spokeswoman Desiree Taylor.

"They want their employer to respect their right to organize so they can win higher standards that will help them support themselves and their families," Taylor said in an email.

Security employees said they wanted to organize in 2012 amid allegations that US Security Associates did not provide them with fully functioning equipment or on-site training.

Jenna Pizzi may be reached at jpizzi@njtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennaPizzi. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.