Janitors approve contract agreement that will benefit both their families and communities
SEIU press release Columbus area janitors are partnering with cleaning contractors to protect good jobs and restore balance to our economy. By an overwhelming margin, the janitors approved a new union contract on Saturday that preserves their ability to support their families. About 1,000 working families will benefit from the new three year contract. “Today we proved that when workers join together, we have strength. This is a huge victory for all hard working janitors,” said Claude Smith a bargaining committee member and janitor who works for ABM. “With this new contract, our families can live a little better.” The new union contract, which goes into effect January 1st, protects the gains service workers have achieved and builds a foundation to raise standards in the future. Cleaning companies originally wanted to eliminate full-time hour guarantees. The agreement reached ensures the majority of the workforce remains full-time. Maintaining a majority full-time workforce is a major victory especially when coupled with a $.20 wage increase in 2014. This modest increase will help workers and their families continue on the pathway out of poverty. “We all won today,” said Tom Balanoff, President of Service Employees International Union Local 1. “The community came together in Columbus and chose prosperity over poverty; full time work over part time work. This victory brings hope to security officers, fast food workers and others trapped by poverty wages.” Income inequality is at an all-time high, and janitors know their situation illustrates why this is a problem for Columbus. They clean some of the most expensive real estate in the country, yet are paid so little that they qualify for public assistance, including Section 8 and food stamps. Columbus CEOs took home over $134 million in compensation while janitors are paid just over $18,000 a year. Today, service work makes up 28 percent of our economy and by 2020 it will be 48 percent. The janitors' victory shows that service work can provide decent wages and benefits when responsible businesses join with workers. Columbus area janitors went on multiple Unfair Labor Practice strikes over the last few months. Employees alleged that cleaning companies had repeatedly violated federal law by harassing and intimidating employees after they stood up for job improvements. The janitors’ struggle to lift themselves out of poverty garnered support from religious leaders, elected officials and community groups here in Columbus and around the country.

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