CBA Discussion

Below is a tailored justification for a salary raise and improved benefits for Federal Court Security Officers (CSOs) in the Southern District of Texas, with a specific focus on Laredo, Texas, for upcoming union negotiations with Constellis. The argument incorporates up-to-date cost-of-living data for Laredo, the unique demands of CSO roles, and considerations specific to negotiating with a private contractor like Constellis, which provides security services under contract to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). The goal is to present a compelling case for fair compensation and benefits that reflect economic realities, job responsibilities, and market competition.

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### Justification for Salary Raise and Improved Benefits for Federal Court Security Officers in Laredo, Texas (Negotiations with Constellis)

#### 1. Cost-of-Living Challenges in Laredo, Texas

Laredo, Texas, while less expensive than major urban centers like Houston, has seen rising living costs that strain CSO budgets, particularly for housing, transportation, and healthcare. According to recent data:

- **Consumer Price Index (CPI)**: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the CPI for the South region, including Texas, rose by approximately 3.2% annually from 2020 to 2024, with 2025 projections estimating a 3-3.5% increase due to persistent inflation. Laredo’s cost of living, while below the national average, has followed similar trends, particularly in essential categories.[](https://www.salary.com/research/company/constellis/court-security-officer-salary?cjid=15519447)

- **Housing Costs**: According to Zillow, median home prices in Laredo have increased by 15% since 2020, reaching approximately $200,000 in 2025. Average monthly rents for a one-bedroom apartment are around $900-$1,100, up 10% over the same period. For CSOs earning an average of $58,214 annually (or $28/hour) at Constellis, housing costs consume a significant portion of income, especially for those supporting families.[](https://www.salary.com/research/company/constellis/court-security-officer-salary?cjid=15519447)

- **Family Budget Needs**: The Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator estimates that a single adult in Laredo requires approximately $40,000 annually for a modest standard of living (covering housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and taxes). A family of four needs around $85,000-$90,000. Current CSO salaries, ranging from $51,717 to $65,369, often fall short for family households, particularly with rising costs.[](https://www.salary.com/research/company/constellis/court-security-officer-salary?cjid=15519447)

- **Local Economic Context**: Laredo’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border drives higher costs for certain goods and services (e.g., fuel, insurance) due to its role as a major trade hub. Unlike federal employees with locality pay adjustments (e.g., 21.33% for “Rest of U.S.” in 2025), Constellis CSOs in Laredo do not receive comparable geographic pay differentials, exacerbating financial pressures.

A salary increase of 7-10% above the 2025 federal pay adjustment (2% for General Schedule employees) is necessary to align CSO compensation with Laredo’s cost-of-living increases, ensuring financial stability and fairness.

#### 2. Critical Responsibilities and Risks of CSOs in Laredo

CSOs in Laredo’s federal courthouse perform high-stakes duties under a contract with the USMS, facing unique challenges due to the region’s border proximity and high volume of cases involving drug trafficking, immigration, and organized crime. Their responsibilities include:

- Protecting federal judges, court personnel, and visitors in a courthouse handling sensitive and high-risk cases.

- Conducting screenings, managing access control, and responding to potential threats, requiring advanced training in firearms, defensive tactics, and situational awareness.

- Maintaining vigilance in a region with elevated security concerns due to cross-border crime, which increases the psychological and physical demands of the job.

These duties align closely with federal law enforcement roles, yet CSO salaries at Constellis ($51,717-$65,369 annually, or ~$28/hour) lag behind comparable positions. For example, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Laredo, at GS-9 to GS-11 levels, earn $59,000-$89,000 with Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP, 25% of base salary). A salary adjustment to include a LEAP-equivalent premium (e.g., 10-15% hazard pay) or a base increase to $65,000-$75,000 would reflect the job’s risks and responsibilities.[](https://www.salary.com/research/company/constellis/court-security-officer-salary?cjid=15519447)

#### 3. Recruitment and Retention Issues with Constellis

Constellis faces challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified CSOs, particularly in Laredo, where turnover is driven by uncompetitive pay and benefits compared to local and federal alternatives. Employee reviews highlight dissatisfaction with stagnant wages and limited benefits:

- **Market Comparison**: Local law enforcement in Laredo, such as Laredo Police Department officers, start at $55,000-$65,000 annually, with signing bonuses and robust benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Private security firms in Texas pay $25-$35/hour ($52,000-$72,800 annually) for less demanding roles. Constellis’s average CSO salary of $58,214 is only 17% above the national average for security officers ($49,710), despite the specialized nature of federal court security.[](https://www.salary.com/research/company/constellis/court-security-officer-salary?cjid=15519447)[](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Constellis/salaries/Security-Officer)

- **Employee Feedback**: Indeed and Glassdoor reviews indicate that Constellis CSOs rarely receive raises, with 62% of surveyed employees reporting no paid sick days and no paid vacation days. Overtime is often mandated, disrupting work-life balance, and opportunities for advancement are limited unless part of a “buddy system.” These issues contribute to high turnover, which disrupts courthouse security and increases training costs (estimated at $50,000 per new hire).[](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Constellis/salaries/Security-Officer)[](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Constellis/salaries/Armed-Security-Officer)[](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Constellis-Military-and-Protective-Services-Salaries-EI_IE1162247.0%2C10_DEPT1015.htm)

- **Laredo’s Labor Market**: Laredo’s unemployment rate, around 4% in 2025, and its demand for security personnel in border-related roles create a competitive job market. Constellis must offer competitive wages to attract and retain experienced CSOs, especially given the rigorous USMS requirements (e.g., background checks, physical fitness, firearms proficiency).

A 7-10% salary increase, coupled with retention bonuses ($5,000-$10,000 for 5+ years of service), would reduce turnover and ensure a stable, skilled workforce.

#### 4. Constellis’s Contractual and Financial Capacity

As a private contractor, Constellis operates under USMS contracts, which are funded by federal budgets but allow flexibility in labor cost negotiations. Key points for negotiation:

- **Federal Contract Trends**: The 2025 federal budget includes increased funding for USMS operations, with a focus on courthouse security due to rising threats against federal judges. Constellis can leverage these funds to support higher CSO wages without impacting profitability.

- **Constellis’s Financial Position**: Constellis, headquartered in Reston, Virginia, is a major player in risk management, generating significant revenue from government contracts. Employee reviews note that higher-level roles (e.g., Contract Managers at $114,285) receive substantial pay, suggesting room to allocate funds to frontline CSOs.[](https://www.ziprecruiter.com/co/constellis/Salaries)

- **Precedent for Raises**: Texas state employees received a 5% raise in 2025 (minimum $3,000), and federal GS employees received a 2% raise with locality adjustments. Constellis, as a private entity, has not matched these adjustments for CSOs, despite employee expectations of “competitive salaries and benefits” as stated on their website.[](https://www.indeed.com/q-constellis-l-texas-jobs.html)[](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Constellis/reviews?ftopic=paybenefits)

Negotiators should argue that Constellis’s commitment to a “comprehensive, total rewards package” must translate into tangible improvements for CSOs, aligning with federal and state pay trends.[](https://www.indeed.com/q-constellis-l-texas-jobs.html)

#### 5. Proposed Benefits Enhancements

Constellis’s current benefits package is inadequate, with employees reporting no paid vacation, limited sick leave, and insufficient health insurance contributions. Proposed enhancements include:

- **Health Insurance**: Increase employer contributions to health insurance premiums from ~70% to 80-85%, reducing out-of-pocket costs for CSOs facing rising healthcare expenses in Laredo (e.g., average family premium of $22,000 annually).

- **Paid Leave**: Provide at least 10-15 paid vacation days and 5-7 paid sick days annually, with a clear policy for requesting time off (only 20% of employees find it easy to request leave).[](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Constellis/salaries/Security-Officer)

- **Retirement Benefits**: Offer a 401(k) match of 4-6% to compete with federal benefits like FERS (5% match) and local law enforcement plans.

- **Training Stipends**: Reimburse costs for mandatory certifications (e.g., firearms, first aid) to support professional development and compliance with USMS standards.

#### 6. Economic and Operational Benefits for Constellis

Investing in CSO compensation and benefits is cost-effective for Constellis:

- **Reduced Turnover Costs**: High turnover increases recruitment and training expenses, estimated at $50,000 per CSO. Competitive pay and benefits would lower vacancy rates and maintain courthouse security.

- **Contract Performance**: USMS contracts require high standards of performance. Experienced CSOs ensure compliance, reducing the risk of contract penalties or loss.

- **Employee Morale**: Reviews highlight poor management and lack of advancement as morale killers. Addressing pay and benefits would improve workplace culture, aligning with Constellis’s stated commitment to a “diverse and supportive workplace.”[](https://www.indeed.com/q-constellis-l-texas-jobs.html)

#### 7. Recommended Negotiation Points

For the 2025 union negotiations with Constellis, we propose:

- **Salary Increase**: A 7-10% base salary increase (raising average pay to $62,000-$71,000) to match Laredo’s cost-of-living increases and compete with local law enforcement salaries ($55,000-$65,000).

- **Hazard Pay**: Introduce a 10-15% hazard pay premium (similar to LEAP) to reflect the high-risk nature of CSO duties in Laredo’s border context.

- **Benefits Package**: Negotiate for increased health insurance contributions (80-85%), 10-15 paid vacation days, 5-7 paid sick days, and a 4-6% 401(k) match.

- **Retention Bonuses**: Offer $5,000-$10,000 bonuses for CSOs with 5+ years of service to reduce turnover.

- **Transparency and Advancement**: Address employee concerns about limited raises and advancement by establishing clear pay scales and promotion criteria, reducing reliance on the “buddy system.”[](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Constellis/salaries/Armed-Security-Officer)

#### Conclusion

Federal Court Security Officers in Laredo, Texas, employed by Constellis, face rising living costs, high-risk duties, and a competitive job market that demand fair compensation and benefits. A 7-10% salary increase, hazard pay, and enhanced benefits (health insurance, paid leave, retirement contributions) are justified by Laredo’s economic realities, the specialized nature of CSO work, and Constellis’s capacity as a major federal contractor. These improvements will reduce turnover, enhance courthouse security, and align with Constellis’s stated commitment to competitive compensation, ensuring a motivated and effective workforce.

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### Notes for Union Negotiators

- **Data Sources**: Use BLS CPI data, Zillow housing trends, and the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator for cost-of-living arguments. Cite Texas state employee raises (HB 1) and federal GS adjustments for precedent.[](https://www.salary.com/research/company/constellis/court-security-officer-salary?cjid=15519447)

- **Constellis-Specific Leverage**: Highlight employee reviews on Indeed and Glassdoor showing dissatisfaction with pay stagnation and benefits to pressure Constellis to act. Reference their contractual obligations to the USMS to emphasize the need for a skilled workforce.[](https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Constellis/salaries/Security-Officer)[](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Constellis-Military-and-Protective-Services-Salaries-EI_IE1162247.0%2C10_DEPT1015.htm)

- **Laredo Context**: Emphasize the border-related risks and competitive local job market to justify hazard pay and higher salaries.

- **Tone and Framing**: Frame the request as a win-win: better pay and benefits improve CSO retention and performance, benefiting Constellis’s contract outcomes and reputation.

If you need specific talking points, a sample negotiation script, or further data on Laredo’s economy, let me know!