Back to Home Print This Page Email This Page

Twin Cities Janitorial Contract Update: STABILIZING THE TWIN CITIES JANITORIAL MARKET

Twin Cities Janitorial Contract Update - January 20, 2010

IN THIS UPDATE:

  • Stabilizing the Twin Cities Janitorial Market
  • Negotiations Update

STABILIZING THE TWIN CITIES JANITORIAL MARKET

This year, our goal in negotiations has been to stabilize the Twin Cities janitorial market through innovative proposals that can make costs predictable for building managers and owners.

  1. One health insurance plan for all janitors to stop the race to the bottom and make costs rational and predictable
  2. Green cleaning proposals to put potential cost savings on the table and incentivize good ideas so they can be a win-win for buildings and janitors.
  3. Job stability for janitors when buildings change contractors

What used to be a periodic occurrence - buildings switching janitorial contractors - has turned into a free-for-all in a never-ending attempt to cut costs. Some buildings in the Twin Cities have recently switched cleaning companies on a near-annual basis.

Healthy competition in the janitorial industry is a good thing that should not be restricted, but this race to the bottom means extreme job insecurity for janitors, inconsistent service for building tenants, and a revolving door for janitorial contractors. It's a lose-lose situation for everyone.

In every major market across the country where janitors have a union and a mature relationship with the commercial real estate community, they have found a solution to this problem. Everywhere except here.

Our goal is for buildings to retain good janitors so they have the stability and peace of mind of a good job, NOT to restrict any company's right to discipline and due process.

Other cities around the country have passed Displaced Worker Ordinances to solve this problem and prevent workers from being needlessly laid off due to a change in management. We think it would be best to find a solution through mutual agreement with janitorial contractors. If you agree, we would like to hear from you.  

 

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

On Saturday, January 9th, janitors set a deadline of Saturday the 23rd for the janitorial contractors to get serious about our priorities.

We have remained ready and willing to bargain since then, but yesterday was the only day of negotiations that companies including ABM and Harvard agreed to since the 8th.

Unfortunately, the companies continue to reject every one of our proposals on our core priorities, including those outlined above, and continue to bargain irresponsibly.

While we continue to propose real solutions, they continue to make erratic and unserious demands.

After demanding a wage cut of nearly $5.00 in parts of the Twin Cities less than two weeks ago, the companies including ABM and Harvard withdrew that demand yesterday, but still continue to push for the ability to eliminate any and all full-time jobs, and eliminate basic union protections that have been in our contract for decades.

And as tensions escalate, they have retaliated against union members by suspending them for engaging in union activities with their co-workers, which we view as serious unfair labor practices.

Out of the 45 days we have been available to meet for negotiations since December 5th, janitorial companies have agreed to just 7 bargaining sessions. Janitors set a deadline of this Saturday for the companies to get serious about our priorities, and if yesterday is any indication, it is clear that they have not.

Janitors will meet again on Saturday, and decide what our next steps will be.

We have made every effort to discuss win-win solutions for building owners and janitors in an attempt to reach a fair settlement, but the more time drags on, the clearer it becomes that the janitorial companies are putting building owners into the middle of this dispute.

For more information, go to www.seiu26.org or contact SEIU Local 26 Secretary-Treasurer Greg Nammacher at 612-331-8336 x17.