The Birth of the Justice for Janitors campaign
On June 15, 1990, striking janitors and their supporters held a peaceful march and demonstration in LA's Century City district. As the protest got underway, the roughly 400 janitors fighting to win a union to build a better life for their families found themselves squaring off against fifty baton-wielding police officers. When the workers linked arms to cross the street in Century City, they were beat back by dozens of police officers, and thirty-eight of the wounded marchers were arrested.
Undeterred even by police brutality, the fearless janitors refused to back down--and their perseverance paid off. Widespread public outrage at the police action helped spur cleaning contractor ISS to sign a union contract soon afterward. Janitors won a wage increase of more than $2/hour (to $6.80 per hour) and went from having no health benefits to full family health coverage. By winning this battle, the successful mobilization of janitors in LA paved the way for other successes in LA and nationwide.
In remembrance of the Century City campaign that inspired a community and launched a movement, SEIU janitors and supporters take action every June 15th in cities nationwide and in countries around the world.
Read about the June 15, 2010 actions held across the country by SEIU members and check out a slideshow of J4J highlights over the years:
More about the history and implications for organizing of J4J here.
