Protestors gave their own Academy Award to the security firm SIS. (Arash Zandi/Neon Tommy)

This phrase was chanted repeatedly by more than fifty security officers and supporters at a protest held today at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, the site of the 86th Academy Awards.

Protestors from SEIU USWW (Service Employees International Union United Service Workers West) urged the ceremony’s governing organization, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to employ a reliable security contractor that gives workers the freedom to form a union, as well as offer full-time jobs.

The Academy is currently contracted with Security Industry Specialists (SIS).

“We want the Academy to bring in a responsible contractor, even if that means taking the SIS out of the picture and bringing in one that pays fairly and gives working hours that employees can raise a family on, and gets benefits and the things that they need to live decently,” said spokesman Robert Branch, Security Industry Vice President for SEIU USWW.

SEIU represents more than 40,000 janitors, security officers, airport workers, and other property service workers across California, and accuses SIS of discrimination, worker intimidation and unfair wages.

The SIS, based in Culver City, Calif., is the fifteenth largest security company in the United States with several high-profile clients, including Amazon, Apple and eBay. Branch mentioned that even though the firm pays a reasonable hourly wage, many security officers have to rely on food stamps and government assistance due to SIS’s lack of benefits. They also want the right to have a union

“We’re trying to raise the standards of security officers in LA and if the Academy brings in a company that lowers those standards, that affects us,” said Branch.

Tom Seltz, copresident and CFO of SIS, told Mother Jones  that the union's allegations are "unsubstantiated. He sees the Oscar protests as a form of harassment—a ploy for union officials to collect more money," Mother Jones Reported.

The SEIU USWW says it has been responsible for increasing the average hourly wage of security officers in Los Angeles. Before 2006, guards were paid $8 an hour; now they are paid $12.55 an hour, plus healthcare, sick days and vacation days. Becoming a security guard involves a state-mandated process initiated by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).

“We’re trying to show as much community support and support for local security officers out there to let them know that this is an issue that people care about. Everyone in the Hollywood industry has a union, from directors all the way down to production assistants, but security officers who are keeping this ceremony secure, don’t,” said Jacob Hay, Communications Director for SEIU USWW.

The protestors plan to return during the awards ceremony on Sunday if the Academy does not take action, according to SEIU USWW Vice President Anton Farmby.

“We will continue to fight until there is dignity and justice for all security officers. Wherever SIS is at, that is where we will be,” said Farmby.

Reach Staff Reporter Arash Zandi here. Follow him on Twitter here.