Cleaning chemicals can be toxic. They are also a daily fact of life for SEIU members who work in building services and healthcare. Cleaning products can contribute to poor indoor air quality and contain chemicals that cause cancer, reproductive disorders, respiratory ailments (including occupational asthma), eye and skin irritation, central nervous system impairment, and other health effects.

Some of these cleaning chemicals are also classified as hazardous waste because they contribute to environmental pollution during their manufacture, transport, use, and/or disposal.

Locals have used contract negotiations to solve specific environmental health problems when a hazard has been identified by the members.  One example is banning cleaning products and pesticides that cause asthma.  Locals can also negotiate for the use of green cleaning products that will reduce health risks to the members while also reducing the risk to the environment.

Use of "green" cleaning products can reduce maintenance costs, protect the environment, safeguard the health of workers and improve indoor air quality.  In bargaining or through a labor-management committee, Locals can work with the employer to encourage use of environmentally preferable cleaning products that meet the criteria established by Green Seal's Industrial and Institutional Cleaners Standard GS-37.

For more about what's required to meet these standards: http://www.greenseal.org/certification/gs37_iicleaners.cfm

Although we have no evidence that the use of green cleaning products has been bargained for, workers at companies that unilaterally adopted the use of green cleaning products report that they are as effective as more traditional (and environmentally hazardous) cleaning products.  There is no reason to believe that the use of green cleaning products makes the work of janitors and workers in health care settings more difficult.  

Collective Bargaining Agreement Language:

View Green Cleaning Collective Bargaining Agreement Language »

Additional Resources on Green Cleaning Products:

>> Office of the Federal Environmental Executive

>> Responsible Purchasing Network

>> California Department of General Services

>> Green Guide