In mid-October 32BJ’s Bargaining Committee reached new contracts covering 12,000 office building cleaners in Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, Northern Virginia and Baltimore.
Take Action!
We must act now to defend our jobs and to stop the senseless attacks on working people. Every 32BJ member must be involved in this fight to show all employers that we are united: If they come after some of us, they take on all of us.
Want to find out how you can get more involved? Learn more about volunteering.
DC Metro/Baltimore Office Cleaners Ratify New 4-Year Contract Protecting 12,000 Good Jobs
32BJ of the SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julie Karant: 646-584-9001
Eugenio H. Villasante: 212-539-2940
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 24, 2011
DC-METRO/BALTIMORE OFFICE CLEANERS RATIFY NEW 4-YEAR CONTRACT PROTECTING 12,000 GOOD JOBS
Improved Wages will Help Boost Economy
Washington, DC – By a unanimous vote, the region’s commercial office cleaners have ratified a new four-year contract covering 12,000 workers that will provide an average yearly pay increase of 4% over the next four years. With just 24 hours before the contract was set to expire, the 32BJ Bargaining Committee reached the agreement on October 16th with the Washington service contractors association, an organization representing the area’s major commercial cleaning companies.
“These are the kind of good jobs that our communities and our country need to move more families into the middle class,” said Valarie Long, 32BJ Vice President. “This is an important victory for cleaners in the Washington- Baltimore area who are united with 32BJ members up and down the East Coast in a campaign for good jobs.”
“I feel very happy with this contract, it’s great for our families” said Jorge Catacora, a downtown DC office cleaner. “We have a just raise that will help pay the rent and rising cost of living.”
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The contract covers 5,000 commercial cleaners working in hundreds of commercial properties in Washington, D.C. such as Washington Square, International Square, Georgetown’s Washington Harbor and One Franklin Square.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
The contract also covers nearly 4,000 cleaners who maintain high profile properties Northern Virginia, including the USA Today Building and office buildings in the Crystal City and Tyson’s Corner developments.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
The contract covers over 1,500 cleaners at over 150 buildings in Montgomery County, including the Chevy Chase Bank Building, the Discovery Building and Rock Spring Office Park.
BALTIMORE
The contract covers over 700 cleaners at over 40 Baltimore buildings, including the Candler Building, Legg Mason Building and the Bank of America Building.
These commercial building cleaners in the Washington-area are among more than 60,000 from Hartford, Conn. to Virginia who are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards for hundreds of thousands of building service workers across the country.
With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 16,000 in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
# # #
Great week for 32BJ- first wave ends in victory!
Over 14,000 Philadelphia and Capital Area office building cleaners won new contracts this week that raise pay, keep health care secure, and improve protections against unfair workloads and cuts to hours of work.
But it’s not over, until it’s over for everybody!
Leaders of the real industry that make part of America’s richest 1% want to push back our pay, benefits and rights on the job.
We, the 99%, will not stand for anything less than the good jobs that our families and communities count on to realize the American Dream.
Our fight for fair contracts for office building cleaners continues through the rest of 2011. Together we will win strong contracts that defend good jobs for all!
Details of Tentative Agreement for DC-Metro, Baltimore
Details of Tentative Agreement for DC-Metro, Baltimore
SEIU 32BJ Rally in support of expiring workers' contract negotiations. Baltimore MD Oct. 5, 2011 © Rick Reinhard 2011
The tentative 4-year contract includes:
- 4% average yearly pay increase
- 1 new paid holiday in
- Baltimore
- Montgomery County
- Northern Virginia
- To make standards more uniform throughout the area, employer-paid training and 1 new sick day in Northern Virginia
- Employer recognition of office building cleaners’ union rights in:
- Prince George’s County
- northern Montgomery County
- area airports
- Better workload protections for building cleaners
- Progress on creating more full-time jobs
DC-Metro, Baltimore Ratification Vote on Saturday
No strike in Baltimore, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland! A tentative agreement was reached. Ratification vote is this SATURDAY:
- Baltimore at 10:00 AM (32BJ Office 7-9 Mulberry Street)
- Silver Spring at 2:00 PM (Woodside United Methodist Church 8900 Georgia Avenue)
- Washington, D.C. at 4:00 PM (St Stephens and the Incarnation, 1525 Newton Street NW)
- Northern Virginia at 4:00 PM (Culmore United Methodist Church 5901 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church)
New Contract for DC-Metro/Baltimore Office Cleaners!
32BJ of the SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julie Karant: 646-584-9001
Eugenio H. Villasante: 212-539-2940
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, October 16, 2011
NEW 4-YEAR CONTRACT FOR DC-METRO/BALTIMORE OFFICE CLEANERS PROTECTS 12,000 GOOD JOBS
Strike Averted Less Than 24 Hours before Expiration
Washington, DC – The 32BJ Bargaining Committee tonight announced tentative agreement on a four-year contract, subject to ratification, covering nearly 12,000 of the region’s office cleaners that provide wage increases. Over the next four years, cleaners will receive an average yearly pay increase of 4%.
“This is not just a win for working families and our communities, but it ensures tenants will receive professional service and gives our economy a much-needed boost,” said Jaime Contreras, 32BJ Capital Area Director.
32BJ reached the four-year agreement with the Washington Service Contractors Association, an organization representing the area’s major commercial cleaning companies, just 24 hours before the contract was set to expire. Union members must still ratify the tentative agreements.
“These are the kind of good jobs that our communities and our country need to move more families into the middle class,” said Valarie Long, 32BJ Vice President. “This is an important victory for cleaners in the Washington- Baltimore area who are united with 32BJ members up and down the East Coast in a campaign for good jobs.”
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The contract covers 5,000 commercial cleaners working in hundreds of commercial properties in Washington, D.C. such as Washington Square, International Square, Georgetown’s Washington Harbor and One Franklin Square.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
The contract also covers nearly 4,000 cleaners who maintain high profile properties Northern Virginia, including the USA Today Building and office buildings in the Crystal City and Tyson’s Corner developments.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
The contract covers over 1,500 cleaners at over 150 buildings in Montgomery County, including the Chevy Chase Bank Building, the Discovery Building and Rock Spring Office Park.
BALTIMORE
The contract covers over 700 cleaners at over 40 Baltimore buildings, including the Candler Building, Legg Mason Building and the Bank of America Building.
These commercial building cleaners in the Washington-area are among more than 60,000 from Hartford, Conn. to Virginia who are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards for hundreds of thousands of building service workers across the country.
With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 16,000 in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
# # #
Council Member Graham Rallies with Cleaning Workers as Contract Expiration and Strike Threat Loom
32BJ of the SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julie Karant: 646-584-9001
Eugenio H. Villasante 212-539-2940
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL
4:30 PM, Wednesday, October 12, 2011
COUNCIL MEMBER GRAHAM RALLIES WITH CLEANING WORKERS AS CONTRACT EXPIRATION AND STRIKE THREAT LOOM
Full DC City Council Supports Fair Contract for 12,000 Office Cleaners
Washington, DC – DC Council Member Jim Graham today joined a rally with cleaning workers from across the region who have authorized their union’s bargaining committee to call a strike, if necessary, when their contract expires at midnight on October 17th. Graham is among several dozen elected officials, including every member of the DC City Council, who have signed a pledge to stand with nearly 12,000 of the region’s office cleaners in their efforts to win an agreement that includes a fair pay raise and more full-time jobs with benefits.
“I urge building owners and employers to sign a fair contract and avoid an unnecessary strike,” said Graham.
32BJ has extended the contract beyond its initial October 15th expiration to ensure that tenants in commercial office buildings and the public are not inconvenienced by a strike over the weekend, if one should occur. Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly; City and County Council Presidents from DC, Virginia, Baltimore, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County; and several clergy and community leaders are also among those who signed the pledge that is a centerpiece of an advertisement running online this week in the Washington Business Journal.
“Good jobs are essential to families, but also to the health of our communities,” the pledge reads. “Office cleaners’ efforts to win a contract that provides good jobs are part of a national effort to restore the economy and reclaim the American Dream for hardworking families. It’s what our city needs – and our conscience demands.”
Negotiations began September 8th between 32BJ and cleaning contractors for the region’s real estate industry for a new union contract covering more than 12,000 cleaners in the region. 32BJ has since rejected industry proposals that would provide only a 25-cent raise and would fail to make 1,000 part-time commercial cleaners full-time with health benefits.
Of the 12,000 cleaners, 5,000 are in Washington, D.C., nearly 4,000 in Northern Virginia, over 1,500 in Montgomery County, Md., and more than 700 in Baltimore. Their wages under the current contract range from $9 per hour for 9,600 part-time cleaners to $12.60 per hour for 2,400 full-time cleaners.
These commercial building cleaners in the Washington-area are among more than 60,000 from Hartford, Conn. to Virginia who are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.
With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 16,000 in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
# # #
Today (Oct 12) in NYC, Philly and DC!
Wednesday October 12
These events coincides with the expiration this fall of contracts for more than 60,000 office cleaners from Hartford to Washington, DC.
New York City
2:00 PM – March Bowling Green to New York Stock Exchange
Philadelphia, PA
3:30 PM – City Chambers and a rally will follow outside City Hall
Washington, DC
4:30 PM – Farragut Square Park (17th and K Streets)
In an effort to spotlight the need for good jobs and to restore fairness to the economy, hundreds of office cleaners, along with elected leaders, union supporters and groups such as the Occupy Wall Street protesters will march and rally Wednesday.
In Philadelphia, the current contract between 32BJ and the Building Owners Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR), an organization representing Philadelphia’s major commercial office building owners, managers, and cleaning companies, expires at 12:01AM on October 16, 2011.
In the Washington, DC area, contracts covering 10,000 office building cleaners including in Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, Northern Virginia and Baltimore expire at 12:01AM on October 16, 2011.
Tomorrow: Rallies in NYC, DC, and Philly
In an effort to spotlight the need for good jobs and to restore fairness to the economy, hundreds of office cleaners, along with elected leaders, union supporters and groups such as the Occupy Wall Street protesters will march and rally Wednesday.
Wednesday October 12
New York City
2:00 PM – March Bowling Green to New York Stock Exchange
Philadelphia, PA
3:30 PM – City Chambers and a rally will follow outside City Hall
Washington, DC
4:30 PM – Farragut Square Park (17th and K Streets)
These events coincides with the expiration this fall of contracts for more than 60,000 office cleaners from Hartford to Washington, DC.
In Philadelphia, the current contract between 32BJ and the Building Owners Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR), an organization representing Philadelphia’s major commercial office building owners, managers, and cleaning companies, expires at 12:01AM on October 16, 2011.
In the Washington, DC area, contracts covering 10,000 office building cleaners including in Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, Northern Virginia and Baltimore expire at 12:01AM on October 16, 2011.
8 Days Left, Councilmember Stands with Cleaners
Our contract expires in 8 days in the Capital Area District!
This week, Montgomery County Council President, Valerie Ervin traveled to Washington, DC to support 32BJ members at this critical time in our fight to win a new agreement that defends good jobs.
Here’s the video from Montgomery County Cable News. Coverage begins at 7 minutes 20 seconds:
Baltimore Electeds Urge Leaders to Avoid Strike
Baltimore, MD – Baltimore City Councilman-elect Nick Mosby and Baltimore City Councilman Bill Cole today took a stand for nearly 12,000 of the region’s office cleaners, calling on industry leaders to agree to a fair contract for the workers and avoid a strike that could hurt the region. Just days ago, the region’s cleaning workers voted to authorize their union’s bargaining committee to call a strike, if necessary.
Councilmen Rally with Hundreds of Office Cleaners in Baltimore, MD 10.05.2011
DC Area Leaders Sign Pledge to Support Good Jobs
Download the PDF of the Good Jobs Pledge
PLEDGE OF SUPPORT The people of our city need good jobs that pay a decent wage and provide secure benefits. Families have bills to pay, kids to raise and the future to plan for. Good jobs are essential to families, but also to the health of our communities.
12,000 office building cleaners in our area are negotiating a new contract now. I stand with them and their union, 32BJ SEIU, in theirefforts to win an agreement that includes a fair pay raise, fair workload standards and more full-time jobs with benefits.
The commercial cleaning business in our area is mostly part-time. That means people with jobs of#en remain below the poverty level and families and communities struggle needlessly. Yet the commercial real estate industry in Washington, D.C. is healthy and growing: It can afford to support good jobs.
According to experts in the field, D.C. will be “among the top office markets in the country this year.” Economists expect a steady increase in office employment in the city, growing demand for office space, rising rents and shrinking vacancy rates.
Office cleaners’ efforts to win a contract that provides good jobs are part of a national effort to restore the economy and reclaim the American Dream for hardworking families. Join me in supporting this effort. It’s what our city needs – and our conscience demands.
- Eleanor Holmes Norton, US Congresswoman (DC)
- Gerry Connolly, US Congressman (VA-11th District)
- Valerie Ervin, Montgomery County Council President
- Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County Council
- Kwame Brown, Chairman, DC City Council
- Jack Young, Baltimore City Council President
- Jim Graham, DC City Council Ward 1
- Michael Brown, DC City Council At-Large
- Vincent Orange, DC City Council At-Large
- Eric Olson, PG County Council, Vice Chair
- Nancy Navarro, Montgomery County Council, District 4
- Hans Reimer, Montgomery County Council, At-Large
- Chap Petersen, Senator, Virginia 34th District
- Adam Ebbin, Virginia House of Delegates, 49th District
- Mary Margaret Whipple, Senator, Virginia 31st District
- Dave Marsden, Senator, Virginia 37th District
- George Barker, Senator, Virginia 39th District
- Walter Tejada, Arlington County Board
- Jo Ann Benson, Senator, Maryland District 24
- Bill Frick, Delegate, Maryland District 16
- Tom Hucker, Delegate, Maryland District 20
- Veronica Turner, Delegate, Maryland District 26
- Victor Ramirez, Senator, Maryland District 47
- Ana Sol Gutierrez, Delegate, Maryland District 18
- Bill Ferguson, Senator, Maryland District 46
- Roger Manno, Senator, Maryland District 19
- Nick Mosby, Baltimore City Council Democratic Nominee, 7th District
- Mary Pat Clarke, Baltimore City Council, District 14
Labor and Community
- DC Metro Central Labor Council
- Virginia AFL-CIO
- Northern Virginia Labor Federation
- DC Jobs with Justice
- Georgetown Solidarity Committee
- Thomas Blanton, Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters
- Raquel Guerricagoitia, CARECEN
- Katrina Dizon, APALA-DC
- Colaition of Black Trade Unions
- Jacob Feinspan, Executive Director, Jews United for Justice
- Jana Meyer, Director of Social Justice Ministries, Foundry
- United Methodist Church
- Father Vidal Rivas, St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church/St. Michael and All
- Angles Episcopal Church
- Rabbi Robert Saks, Congregation Bet Mishpachah
- Jean-Louis Peta Ikambana, American Friends Service Committee – DC Peace
- and Economic Justice Program
- Barbara Kavanagh, DC Employment Justice Center
- SEIU Local 1199
- SEIU Local 500
- SEIU Local 722
Rally for Good Jobs in Philadelphia
Check out this video from the rally in Philadelphia last week (09/28/2011).
Speakers include:
| Mike Fishman President 32BJ SEIU Valarie Long Vice President 32BJ SEIU Juanita Acree 32BJ SEIU Member – Philadelphia Wayne MacManiman 32BJ SEIU Mid-Atlantic District Director Cheryl Adams 32BJ SEIU Member – Philadelphia Rosa Cox 32BJ SEIU Member – New York Carlos Ramos 32BJ SEIU Member – New Jersey Frederick R. Deas 32BJ SEIU Member – Philadelphia Jose Regalado 32BJ SEIU Member – New Jersey Rodrigo Mendez 32BJ SEIU Member – New York Jacinto Quinonez 32BJ SEIU Member – New Jersey Patricia Arcila-Cabrera 32BJ SEIU Staff – New Jersey |
Jim Bird 32BJ SEIU Member – Pittsburgh Sara Pastorelli 32BJ SEIU Member – Connecticut Ana Rodriguez 32BJ SEIU Member – New York Tony McIntosh 32BJ SEIU Member – New York Safet Lukolic 32BJ SEIU Member – New York Maria Ruiz 32BJ SEIU Member – New York Clara Castillo 32BJ SEIU Member – Washington, DC U.S. Rep. Bob Brady Pennsylvania’s First District Robert Tucker 32BJ SEIU Member – Philadelphia Kevin Doyle Executive Vice President 32BJ SEIU Mary Kay Henry SEIU International President Hector Figueroa Secretary Treasurer 32BJ SEIU |
Region’s Elected Officials Stand with Cleaning Workers, Urge Industry Leaders to Avoid a Strike
Monday, October 3, 2011
REGION’S ELECTED OFFICIALS STAND WITH CLEANING WORKERS, URGE INDUSTRY LEADERS TO AVOID A STRIKE
– Elected Officials Take Their Stand as Office Cleaners Announce Authorization to Strike –
Washington, DC—Elected officials from the District, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia today took a stand for nearly 12,000 of the region’s office cleaners, calling on industry leaders to agree to a fair contract for the workers and avoid a strike that could hurt the region. The public officials made their announcement days after the region’s cleaning workers voted to authorize their union’s bargaining committee to call a strike, if necessary. Speakers at today’s event noted that its venue – on Pennsylvania Avenue – has the fifth-highest office rent in North America.
“I urge building owners in the District to sign a fair contract for our city’s cleaners and avoid an unnecessary strike,” said DC Councilmember Phil Mendelson.
“Arlington’s strong commercial office market should create the kind of good jobs necessary to boost our economy and increase tax revenue for local governments,” said Virginia State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple. “I will support Virginia’s hard-working office cleaners if they have to strike to provide for their families.”
Last week, 32BJ rejected proposals from cleaning contractors for the region’s real estate industry that would: fail to make 1,000 part-time commercial cleaners full-time with health benefits, lower starting wages for newly hired cleaners in Washington and Northern Virginia, and reduce other benefits for all cleaners in the District.
“Paying cleaners family-sustaining wages and benefits would help ensure that employers and tenants get a more reliable work force,” said Montgomery County Council President, Valerie Ervin. “Nobody wants a strike, but I stand in solidarity with cleaners if that’s what it takes to keep good jobs that are the lifeblood of our communities.”
Negotiations began September 8th for a new union contract covering more than 12,000 cleaners in the region – 5,000 in Washington, D.C., nearly 4,000 in Northern Virginia, over 1,500 in Montgomery County, Md., and more than 700 in Baltimore.
“There’s no excuse for a multibillion dollar industry to deny the wages and benefits workers need to make ends meet,” 32BJ SEIU Capital Area Director, Jaime Contreras said.
Under the current contract, wages range from $9 per hour for 9,600 part-time cleaners to $12.60 per hour for 2,400 full-time cleaners. All of the cleaners receive up to seven sick days, paid vacation and holidays, life insurance, and employer-paid family benefits for prescription drugs, dental and vision benefits. Only full-time cleaners receive employer-paid health care. The industry’s proposal would eliminate two paid holidays for cleaners in the District, and lower starting wages for new cleaners in the District and Northern Virginia. It would also fail to meet 32BJ’s call to make 1,000 part-time cleaners full time with health benefits.
Commercial cleaners in the Washington-area are among more than 60,000 from Hartford, Conn. to Virginia who are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.
With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 16,000 in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
Member Interviews from Philly Rally
Philadelphia, PA (9/28/2011) – Thousands of property service workers from Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, the Washington, D.C.-area, Connecticut and Delaware, rallied downtown last week to call for a fair contract in Philadelphia. They were joined by Rep. Bob Brady (D-Pa.) and President of the Service Employees International Union, Mary Kay Henry. Contract negotiations are underway for more than 2,600 building cleaners in Philadelphia, who are fighting for a fair wage increase and secure benefits.
More interviews:
Region’s Elected Officials to Stand With Cleaning Workers, Urge Industry Leaders to Avoid a Strike
32BJ of the SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR 1:30 p.m., Monday, October 3, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julie Karant: 646-584-9001
Eugenio H. Villasante 212 539 2940
REGION’S ELECTED OFFICIALS TO STAND WITH CLEANING WORKERS, URGE INDUSTRY LEADERS TO AVOID A STRIKE
Elected Officials to Take Their Stand as Office Cleaners Announce Authorization to Strike
Washington, DC – Elected officials from the District, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia will today take a stand for nearly 12,000 of the region’s office cleaners, calling on industry leaders to agree to a fair contract for the workers and avoid a strike that could hurt the region. The public officials will make their announcement days after the region’s cleaning workers voted to authorize their union’s bargaining committee to call a strike, if necessary. Speakers at today’s event will note that its venue – on Pennsylvania Avenue – has the fifth-highest office rent in North America.
WHAT: Announcement of cleaning worker strike vote results
WHO: DC City Councilmember Phil Mendelson
Montgomery County Council President, Valerie Ervin
VA State Senator, Mary Margaret Whipple
CASA de MD President, Padre Simón Bautista
Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO President Jos Williams
32BJ SEIU Capital Area Director, Jaime Contreras
*Interviews can be arranged prior to event
WHEN: Monday, October 3, 2011
1:30 PM
WHERE: 20th & Pennsylvania Ave.
Commercial cleaners in the Washington-area are among more than 60,000 from Hartford, Conn. to Virginia who are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.
With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 16,000 in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
###
A Message from Mike
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
2,000 members of 32BJ marched in the streets of Philadelphia yesterday demanding fair contracts and good jobs. Click here to see photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32bj/sets/72157627782061910/ .
We came from New York City and the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, the Washington, D.C.-area, Connecticut, Delaware and Western Pennsylvania to join with Philly members because we are one union united in one fight.
The first wave in our campaign is Philadelphia, the D.C. area and Pittsburgh, where contracts expire in October. Our march told employers in every 32BJ city that we will stand together in these cities — and everywhere — until we win good, strong contracts for all 60,000 32BJ commercial office cleaners, janitors and building service workers.
Mary Kay Henry, president of the SEIU, joined us yesterday in Philadelphia for the march. Our fight is part of a much larger campaign for all property service workers. Contracts expire for more than 150,000 SEIU janitors across the country in the next year. We all share the same goal: To defend good jobs that support our families, strengthen our communities and get our economy on track. SEIU members rallied in 22 cities yesterday to send this message nationwide.
Yesterday was exciting — and important. I urge you to stay involved as we fight on. Our success depends on our solidarity, our resolve — and our action.
Yours in solidarity,
Mike Fishman, 32BJ President
Thousands of Property Service Workers Rally for Good Jobs
32BJ of SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Eugenio H. Villasante 646 285 1087
Julie Karant: 646-584-9001
Maia Davis 201-396-4444
THOUSANDS OF PROPERTY SERVICE WORKERS RALLY FOR GOOD JOBS
- Philadelphia Cleaners Vote to Authorize Strike -
- Rep. Brady Joins Rally; Property Service Workers Rally in 21 Other Cities Across the Country -
Philadelphia, PA – Thousands of property service workers from Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, the Washington, D.C.-area, Connecticut and Delaware, rallied downtown today to call for a fair contract in Philadelphia. They were joined by Rep. Bob Brady (D-Pa.) and President of the Service Employees International Union, Mary Kay Henry. Contract negotiations are underway for more than 2,600 building cleaners in Philadelphia, who are fighting for a fair wage increase and secure benefits.
Following the rally, the Philadelphia property service workers voted to give their bargaining committee the power to call for a strike, if necessary. A strike, if one occurs, could affect more than 100 buildings, including Liberty Tower, Comcast Center and Commerce Square. The current contract expires at 12:01 a.m. on October 16, 2011.
“Today’s strike vote shows we’re determined to keep our city a place that working families can afford to call home,” said Wayne MacManiman, Mid-Atlantic Director for 32BJ. “Our members are determined to protect their good jobs, which are critical to their families, their communities, and to the thousands of tenants who depend on these workers’ services.”
Negotiations began on September 8th between 32BJ, the city’s largest private-sector union, and leaders of Building Operators Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR), an organization representing Philadelphia’s major commercial office building owners, managers, and cleaning companies.
“The real estate industry in Philadelphia surely has the money to keep the benefits that keep our children healthy,” said Angel Castro, a cleaner in Center City who has three children. “I’ve got two kids in college, a mortgage to pay, groceries to buy. I’m struggling like many people these days.”
Philadelphia and the Washington, D.C. area are the first of several cities where contract negotiations will occur this fall. Altogether, 60,000 commercial members from Northern Virginia to Connecticut and Philadelphia to Pittsburgh are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that protect good jobs.
“Our city, our state, and our country need for working people to get the fair pay and decent benefits they deserve,” Congressman Bob Brady (D-Pa.) said. “A win for commercial office cleaners in this contract fight will be a win for all of us.”
“At a time when American workers are under attack, 32BJ members are standing together for the good jobs our communities and our country needs,” said Mike Fishman, President of 32BJ, the nation’s largest union of property service workers. “Not just here in Philadelphia, but in twenty two cities across the country today.”
“The 2,600 property service workers here in Philadelphia who are bargaining to keep good jobs alive are not in this fight alone,” said SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry. “Across the country, more than 150,000 janitors over the next year will be sitting across the table from their employer—bargaining contracts to defend good jobs and rebuild the middle class.”
With more than 120,000 members in eight states, including 7,000 in Philadelphia, 32BJ is the largest property services union in the country.
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The Campaign Starts in Philadelphia: Rally Coverage
Rally today in Philadelphia! We are demonstrating for the good jobs we need to support our families, and which our nation needs to regain its footing after the worst economic crisis to hit in a generation. We are all standing together on the same day in this fight for good jobs because the contracts for some 150,000 building service workers, including 60,000 in 32BJ Districts, will soon be expiring from coast to coast.
UPDATE 10/04/2011: Video
UPDATE, 11:21 AM 9/28/2011:
Incoming photos on Flickr: Philadelphia Commercial Contract Rally 09.28.2011
To add your photos, email us: photos@seiu32bj.org!
Here are what some people are saying on Twitter:
@seiu: RT @elizaj: Goodbye, Philly! Awesome rally with @32BJ_SEIU members! One union! PHOTOS posted: http://t.co/r4Cv8xnU
@green4philly: At the SEIU 32BJ rally in Dilworth Plaza. http://t.co/BWBaotzB
@tanyalias: We got thousands in the street – hey corporations do your part! #j4j http://t.co/Deg1n0zD
You can follow rallies in Philly and 22 other cities on twitter: Search for #j4j (Justice 4 Janitors) on Twitter
Update, 5:49 PM: Press Coverage is starting to roll in –
- National: Thousands Rally in 22 Cities Today to Support Good Jobs Our Economy Needs
- 10:58 AM Eastern – Wednesday, September 28, 2011
- Chicago: SEIU Local 1 workers rally for better jobs, wages
- Chicago Tribune | 4:37 p.m. CDT, September 28, 2011
- Philadelphia: Union rallies, OKs strike
- Metro Philadelphia | September 29, 2011
- Philadelphia: Cleaners From PA and Other States Rally for New Contract
- publicnewsservice.org | September 29, 2011
- Philadelphia: Janitors rally in Philadelphia as they authorize a strike
- newsworks.org | WHYY | September 28, 2011
- LA: 500 Workers Will March & Rally for Good Jobs at LAX Today
- laist.com | September 28, 2011 11:00 AM
- Providence: Students rally against foreclosures
- The Brown Daily Herald | September 29, 2011
- Providence: 70 protest at Bank of America in Providence
- The Providence Journal | September 28, 2011
Thousands of Cleaners from Philadelphia and Seven States to Rally for a Fair Contract
SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR 12 p.m., Wednesday, September 28, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Eugenio H. Villasante 212 539 2940, 646 285 1087
Julie Karant: 646-584-9001
Maia Davis 201-396-4444
THOUSANDS OF CLEANERS FROM PHILADELPHIA AND SEVEN STATES TO RALLY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT
- Strike vote by Philadelphia members to follow rally with Rep. Brady -
Philadelphia, PA – Thousands of property service workers from Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, the Washington, D.C. region, Connecticut and Allegheny County will march and rally downtown on Wednesday to call for a fair contract. Among them will be some of the 2,600 building cleaners in Philadelphia fighting for a new contract with a fair wage increase, employer-paid family health care and retirement security. Contract negotiations are also underway for more than 12,000 commercial cleaners in the Wash., D.C. region and for 2,100 in Allegheny County. These negotiations mark the first round of a multistate campaign by 60,000 cleaners for new contracts that maintain and raise wage and benefit standards. Altogether, across the country, more than 150,000 property service workers in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are fighting for a fair contract from now through 2012. Following the rally, the Philadelphia-area cleaners will vote on whether to grant their bargaining committee the power to call a strike if necessary.
WHAT: March, rally and strike vote
WHO: Thousands of commercial office cleaners from Philadelphia, N.Y., N.J., Conn. Wash., D.C., Md., Del. Va., and Allegheny Co., Pa.
Congressman Bob Brady (D-Philadelphia)
SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry
City Council members
Philadelphia labor leaders and other community supporters
*Interviews can be arranged prior to rally with SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry
WHEN: Wednesday, September 28, 2011
March at 12 PM
Rally and strike vote at 1 PM
WHERE: Dilworth Plaza, City Hall
15th & JFK
Rallies and marches will also be held in 21 other cities across the country, with property service workers and their supporters calling for the good jobs that build strong communities.
With more than 120,000 members in eight states, including 7,000 in Philadelphia, Local 32BJ is the largest property services union in the country.
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The Campaign for GOOD JOBS Starts in Philadelphia
UPDATE, 5:55 PM 9/28/2011:
More photos, press, and social media coverage of the rallies.
UPDATE, 11:21 AM 9/28/2011:
Incoming photos on Flickr: GOOD JOBS RALLY IN PHILLY To add your photos, email us: photos@seiu32bj.org!
On September 28 in Philadelphia — and in As we go to the negotiating table to fight for good jobs, we do so knowing that this fight is part of a larger campaign for the good jobs across our country needs.
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Los Angeles Orange County/Irvine Sacramento San Diego/La Jolla San Francisco San Jose Denver Chicago Indianapolis Boston Detroit Milwaukee Kansas City St Louis Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Toledo Portland Philadelphia Providence Houston Seattle |
Update, 9/27/2011: 22 cities!
32BJ Members in Silver Spring Rally for Good Jobs
On September 22, members of 32BJ rallied in Silver Spring, Maryland to support a fair contract. Negotiations began on September 8, 2011 for more than 1,500 contracted cleaners in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Northern Virginia Office Cleaners Rally for Good Jobs, Strong Communities
4,000 Cleaners Demand Wage Increases from Region’s Strongest Office Markets
Arlington, VA (9/20/2011) — Nearly one hundred mostly immigrant office cleaners rallied on Tuesday to ask for their chance to share in the American Dream. The workers, who earn as little as $9 an hour, called upon Northern Virginia’s commercial real estate industry to share the wealth that was created with the workers’ help, a move that would benefit the local economy as well as working families.
Photos on Flickr: Northern Virginia Office Cleaners Rally for Good Jobs, Strong Communities
Cleaners Rally for Good Jobs in Bethesda
Bethesda, MD (9/15/2011) — About 50 members of 32BJ rallied outside the Metro station to support a fair contract. Negotiations began on September 8, 2011 for more than 1,500 contracted cleaners in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Photos on Flickr: Cleaners Rally for Good Jobs in Bethesda
From the Washington Hispanic, 9/16/2011:
“Jaime Contreras, Director del Área Capital de la 32BJ, expresa con indignación …, expresando que muchos de estos empleados han trabajado por anos par alas compañías, las cuales han crecido empresarialmente y para los empleados la carga de trabajo ha ido creciendo, … ‘estas son empresas multimillonarias de bienes raíces y empresas comerciales que pueden permitirse darles el aumento de sueldo a los trabajadores de limpieza’, agrega.”
Translation:
“Jaime Contreras, 32BJ Capital Area Director, expressed outrage …, saying that many of these employees have worked for years for these companies, whose business has grown and for employees their workload has grown, …, ‘These are multimillion dollar real estate companies and commercial enterprises who can afford to give pay raises to the janitors,’ he adds.”
16 SEPT 2011 | Continúana la espera de mejora salariales | (Washington Hispanic, Edición Impresa: Sección A / Imagen de la página 5A)
Bargaining Begins in Three Major Metro Areas
Washington DC | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh
32BJ has begun important negotiations for new contracts for our members in three districts: the Capital Area District, the Mid-Atlantic District and Western PA.
“A good, fair contract will provide working families with what they need, our economy with a boost and local governments with more tax revenue,” said Mike Fishman, 32BJ President. “Our campaign for good jobs is part of a national effort to rebuild the middle class, restore the economy, and reclaim the American Dream for millions of families.”
Here’s what our members are saying about the contract negotiations:
| “Our workload is growing, but not our wages.” - Oscar Washington, DC |
“I’ve got two kids in college, a mortgage to pay and groceries, I’m struggling like many people here every day.” - Angel Philadephia, PA |
“When companies pay better, people stay and do a better job. Everybody wins.” - Robert Pittsburgh, PA |
- In the Capital Area, negotiations began for 5,000 commercial cleaners in Washington, D.C., nearly 4,000 in Northern Virginia, over 1,500 in Montgomery County, MD and over 700 in Baltimore on September 8, 2011.
- In Philadelphia, negotiations began concerning more than 2,600 property service workers on September 9, 2011.
- In Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, negotiations began concerning more than 2,100 commercial office cleaners on September 13, 2011.
Maryland Delegate Gutierrez Joins Montgomery County Office Cleaners at Rally for Good Jobs, Strong Communities
32BJ of the SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
FOR INMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, September 15, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julie Karant 646-584-9001, Eugenio H. Villasante: 646-285-1087
MARYLAND DELEGATE GUTIERREZ JOINS MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE CLEANERS AT RALLY FOR GOOD JOBS, STRONG COMMUNITIES
Nearly 100 Cleaners Demand Wage Increases as Office Market is Forecasted to Grow
Silver Spring, MD— Nearly one hundred mostly immigrant office cleaners will rally on Thursday to ask for their chance at sharing in the American Dream. The workers, who earn as little as $10.90 an hour, called upon Montgomery County’s commercial real estate industry to share the wealth created with the workers’ help which would in turn benefit local communities.
“Montgomery County’s office market is growing and can afford to provide hard-working cleaners a raise,” said Maryland Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez. “We need to create good jobs that will help rebuild the middle class, restore our economy, and reclaim the American Dream for working families.”
“The men and women who ensure our offices are clean and safe shouldn’t have to struggle to get,” said Jamie Contreras, 32BJ Capital Area Director. “By ensuring these men and women receive family-sustaining wages, we’re ensuring employers and tenants get a more reliable work force.”
Negotiations began earlier last week for a new union contract covering over 1,500 cleaners in Montgomery County Maryland, 5,000 commercial cleaners in Washington, D.C., nearly 4,000 cleaners in Northern Virginia, and over 700 in Baltimore. 32BJ, the union for the building workers, presented its contract proposals to representatives of major commercial cleaning companies in the region, including Red Coats, American Building Maintenance (ABM), and Building Maintenance Services.
32BJ commercial cleaners in the wider D.C. region earn wages ranging from $9 per hour ($9,360 annually) for part-time cleaners to $12.60 ($26,208 annually) for full-time cleaners. The federal poverty line for a family of four in the United States is $22,350 annually.
More than 60,000 commercial cleaners from Hartford, Conn. to Virginia are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.
With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 16,000 in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
# # #
Contract Talks Open for 12,000 Cleaners in Washington, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County & Baltimore
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Julie Karant: 646-584-9001
Eugenio Villasante: 212-539-2940
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 8, 2011
CONTRACT TALKS OPEN FOR 12,000 CLEANERS IN WASHINGTON, NORTHERN VIRGINIA, MONTGOMERY COUNTY & BALTIMORE
– Union Proposals Focus on Increasing Wages as Industry Brings in Record-Setting Rents –
Washington, DC – Negotiations begin today for a new union contract covering 5,000 commercial cleaners in Washington, D.C., nearly 4,000 cleaners in Northern Virginia, over 1,500 cleaners in Montgomery County, Maryland and over 700 Baltimore cleaners begin today between 32BJ and cleaning contractors who serve the area’s real estate industry. 32BJ, the union for the building workers, presented its contract proposals to representatives of major commercial cleaning companies in the region, including Red Coats, American Building Maintenance (ABM), and Building Maintenance Services.
“Washington’s multi-billion dollar real estate industry is among top in the nation and can afford to give hard-working office cleaners a raise,” said Jamie Contreras, 32BJ Capital Area Director. “Our proposals will ensure that these men and women get the wages they need to support their families and that employers and tenants get a more reliable work force.”
32BJ commercial cleaners earn wages ranging from $9 per hour ($9,360 annually) for part-time cleaners to $12.60 ($26,208 annually) for full-time cleaners. The federal poverty line for a family of four in the United States is $22,350 annually.
“Hard-working office cleaners shouldn’t have to struggle to get by when the Washington real estate industry is outperforming other U.S. markets,” said Mike Fishman, 32BJ President. “We need to create good jobs that will help rebuild the middle class, restore our economy, and reclaim the American Dream for millions of families.”
“Our workload is growing, but not our wages,” said Oscar Zapata, a father of two who has worked as a UNICCO-employed cleaner in DC for 16 years but earns just $12.10 per hour. “We want to offer our families a better future; that’s hard to do with this salary.”
More than 60,000 commercial cleaners from Hartford, Conn. to Virginia are united in a campaign to secure new contracts that raise wage and benefit standards.
With more than 120,000 members in nine states, including 16,000 in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
# # #
Upcoming Actions in the Capital Area District
Join an upcoming action in your area! Download leaflets below.
DC ACTION
Thursday, September 8
4:30pm – 5:30pm
Join fellow 32BJ members in supporting your elected bargaining team! Come out to observe the opening of contract talks! Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1001 14th Street, NW Washington, D.C. (Corner of 14th & K Streets)
Call the 32BJ office in D.C. for more information: 202-387-3211
Download Leaflet for DC Action, PDF
BALTIMORE ACTION
Saturday, September 10
10am – 1pm
Join fellow 32BJ members to help Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to victory! Meet at the 32BJ office, 7-9 Mulberry Street, Baltimore, MD. BBQ lunch for all volunteers after the canvass!
Call the 32BJ office for more information: 202-742-1630
Download Leaflet for Baltimore Action, PDF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY ACTIONS
Thursday, September 15
4:30 pm
In front of the Bethesda Metro Station in downtown Bethesda.
Thursday, September 22
4:30pm
In front of the Discovery Channel building in downtown Silver Spring (Corner of Georgia Ave and Colesville Rd).
Call 32BJ union representative Doris Depaz for more information: 202-742-1628
Download Leaflet for Montgomery Actions, PDF
NORTHERN VIRGINIA ACTION
Tuesday, September 20
4:30pm
Join fellow 32BJ members in front of Ballston Common Mall: 4238 Wilson Blvd in Arlington, VA (corner of Wilson Blvd & N. Stuart St.)
Call the 32BJ office in Virginia for more information: 703-845-7760
Justice for Janitors Day 2011
32BJ members honor the legacy of the Justice for Janitors campaign annually on June 15th. We remember the incredible organizing efforts of those janitors and cleaners who decided to join together and take action to demand respect and a better life. This year we had events June 11-17 in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
Press Coverage
Justice for Janitors in New York Metro:
- A Salute to NY’s “Invisible Labor Force”
The Public News Service, June 16th, 2011
Justice for Janitors in Connecticut:
- Stamford Janitors Rally for Better Work Conditions
The Daily Stamford, Anthony Buzzeo, June 16th, 2011 - Janitors Union Members Protest Outside Goodrich In West Hartford
The Hartford Courant, June 15th, 2011
Justice for Janitors in New Jersey:
- Custodians strike against Parsippany-based Planned Companies over low wages
The Star Ledger, Stacy Jones, June 15th, 2011
Justice for Janitors in Washington, DC:
- Jaime Contreras / SEIU Local 32BJ
Noticias a las 11 WFDC (UNI) Washington DC 06/15/11 11:00-11:30 PM Length: 02:26
Click here to download
Justice for Janitors in Western Pennsylvania:
- SEIU Local 32BJ – Rally For Better Pay
11 News at 5 WPXI (NBC) Pittsburgh 06/15/11 5-6 PM Length: 00:40
Click here to download
March for the Middle Class in New York City:
- Thousands of Union Protesters Rally in Heights
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Raanan Geberer and Mary Frost, June 15th, 2011 - Police Shut Down Union Protest Outside City Hall
DNA Info, June 15th, 2011 - Ivan Almenares / SEIU Local 32BJ – Rally in City Hall
Inside City Hall NY1 (IND) New York 06/15/11 7-8 PM Length: 10:27
Click here to download - SEIU Local 32BJ – City Hall Protest
News at Eleven NY1 (IND) New York 06/15/11 11:00-11:30 PM Length: 02:07
Click here to download