In June of 1990, janitors striking in Los Angeles had seen wages in their industry slashed in half, had no health insurance, and were fighting to join a union to build a better life for their families. So they took to the streets.
The police brutality that beat down the protesters, and the incredible community support that followed, would spark a movement to improve the lives of cleaning workers across the country.
For more than two decades, SEIU's Justice for Janitors movement has helped low-wage workers achieve social and economic justice and has earned the support of religious, political and community leaders. But in the wake of a poor economy where millionaire CEOs are still cutting jobs and trying to take away workers' rights, it's clear the work is not over.
So this year janitors took to the streets again. Marking the 21st year of the Justice for Janitors campaign, building cleaners across the country rallied this week and spoke out for fair wages, quality affordable healthcare and good full-time jobs.
On Thursday in Los Angeles, 1,000 janitors rallied at the Los Angeles County Art Museum to commemorate the 1990 protest and to call on their employers for better jobs in the custodial industry. Some janitors in the area are paid so little they struggle to provide for their families and can't afford healthcare. Watch video from L.A.'s rally here.
In New York City on Wednesday, hundreds of cleaning workers gathered outside the buildings they keep clean to remind the public about workers who are still underpaid and fighting for their rights.
In Stamford, Connecticut, janitors stood in solidarity outside the Government Center, calling for fair wages and corporate responsibility. State Senator Carlo Leone (D-27) reminded the crowd that "together, we can accomplish anything."
Custodians fighting for fair wages in Florham Park, New Jersey, walked off their jobs on Tuesday to protest violations of their rights on the job, poverty wages and inadequate benefits. Employees of Planned Building Services say they are paid several dollars an hour below the standard wage for a local custodian and faced threats and retaliation when they sought better pay from their employer. "I have been working as a Planned Companies cleaner for eight months and earn $7.50 an hour," said Ulises Prudencio, "I have a difficult time paying bills and affording visits to the doctor."
In Pittsburgh, janitors joined in support of security officers who are fighting for better wages and better working conditions. The large group of property workers rallied outside PPG Place, where security officers struggle to make enough to care for their families.
Aside from low wages and a lack of benefits, another reality for those in the property services industry is the possibility of losing one's job when a new contractor is chosen. In Hartford, Connecticut, this week, union janitors protested against losing their jobs when a new cleaning contractor took over their worksite and refused to let the veteran cleaners keep their jobs with the new company.
In total, janitors participated in events calling for economic justice in 15 cities this week. While each rally was different, they all shared the same theme: today's custodial workers are still fighting for improved working conditions and the right to lift themselves out of poverty and into the dignity they've earned.
You can learn more here about the history of the Justice for Janitors campaign.
