Security officers who guard Philadelphia hospitals, high-rises and college campuses say they could soon walk off the job.

Members of 32BJ SEIU, the union representing more than 2,500 security officers in Philadelphia, rallied Monday afternoon near Temple University. Union leaders say most of the officers (more than 2,000) work for Allied Universal, the city's largest private security contractor.

Stephanie Gibson, an Allied Universal officer who works on Market Street, said the job can be dangerous, and the pay doesn't match the risk.

"We deal with mental health people, and we also deal with homelessness. It's really scary when they get irate," Gibson said. "We don't know if when we go to work, we'll make it back safely."

Gibson, a single mother of six, said she earns $17.10 an hour.

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