Janitors in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have voted overwhelmingly to authorize their leadership to call a strike against their employers over unfair labor practices committed by their employers. The janitors are in the midst of bargaining for a new contract covering 14,000 workers across the two New England states.
The janitors in SEIU Local 615 voted to authorize their leadership to call a strike, if necessary, to protest that they were met with threats and intimidation when the workers stood up for good jobs.
Contract expiration takes place on September 30 and the janitors are mobilizing for better pay, more hours on the job and healthcare for workers.
Speaking at a packed meeting in Boston, Jackie Wesley, a janitor from Waltham, MA and member of Local 615's Executive Board, said:
"We are asking for fair and reasonable wages, more hours, more time with our families."
"But what do the companies do when we stand up, when we support each other, when we fight? They threaten us; they try to intimidate us. We are not going to let them intimidate us."
Working people across Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be mobilizing this week ahead of contract expiration. Show your support for the janitors.
