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JANITORS
Workers Vote to Ratify New Contracts, Celebrate A Win for Working Families
Minneapolis, MN – After two months without a contract, hundreds of hours of negotiations, and a one-day strike, today SEIU Local 26 janitors and security officers voted to approve new contracts which will help strengthen the middle class in the Twin Cities.
“This is a major victory for working families,” said Margarita Del Angel Lopez, a janitor who works at the IDS Center in Minneapolis. “We work hard to support our families, we fought hard against cuts that would have destroyed thousands of jobs. This shows that when we stand together, we can move forward together. These are the best contracts in the history of the local service sector industry.”
“Suburban security officers have been working for years without a raise,” said Fred Anthony II, a security officer from St Paul. “Some of them haven’t had a raise in up to eight or 10 years. This is the first time they have guaranteed contracts, guaranteed health care, guaranteed job security. It helps bring them out of poverty.”
More than 6,000 janitors and security officers won $1.20 raises over three years, which will pump $48 million into local communities. They also protected stable, full-time positions for thousands of workers. In addition, janitors and security officers secured better employer-based healthcare coverage, which will enable workers to access affordable coverage, rather than be forced to rely on public programs paid for by taxpayers.
This marks the first contract for 1,000 suburban security officers who formed their union with SEIU Local 26 in January 2011 – in addition to getting raises for the first time in years, they gained employer-based healthcare coverage for the first time ever.
“So often, we see the rich get richer, while the rest of us continue falling behind,” said Javier Morillo, President of SEIU Local 26. “Seeing working people win is a very important thing. It’s a beautiful thing. And so congratulations to all of our members who worked hard for this win. Together, we are working toward a better future for all of Minnesota, where people who work for a living are able to make a living. We showed that the labor movement is alive and well in Minnesota.”
SEIU Local 26 janitors reached a tentative agreement last (more…)
This Is Your Victory !!
On Friday, over 100 of our elected bargaining committee members met with both security and janitorial companies, before our deadline for a new contract. After more than 31 hours of marathon negotiations through the night, the janitorial companies agreed to a great new contract including:
- - $1.20 raise over 3 years (50 cents, 35 cents, 35 cents)
- - Protected full time jobs (the companies had proposed to make more than 1000 jobs into part time)
- - Improvements in our healthcare benefits (individual coverage at $35/mo, and individual plus kids $150/mo, and elimination of annual maximums for pharmacy and inpatient care)
- - More sick days and improved vacation accrual, disability pay, grievance procedure.
Next Step :
Ratification Vote This is a big step forward for office janitors! As a result of the tentative agreement, our strike is cancelled, and we will have the member ratification vote this Saturday, March 2nd, 11am at the Local 26 hall. Find out more about the ratification event here.
Five Years Ago, Security Officers in SEIU Local 26 Struck and Won! Now it is our turn.
“Our manager told us we would lose our job if we struck. But we went on strike and every single officer went back to work.” ,Dawn McCarthy, American Security, 180 E 5th St
“I hear the janitor’s bosses are using the same old scare tactics they tried with security officers. Don’t believe them! We struck and we won” ,Kim Martini, Securitas, US Bank
“We had a terrible healthcare plan, that left us with big bills, but after we struck, we won a new healthcare plan that doesn’t leave us with huge bills.”,John Graham, Security, Ameriprise
“I hope that janitors will decide to stand up like we did. Everyone at my building struck, and we won.” ,Renita Whicker, ABM US Bancorp
"I work for American /Marsden. At my building we all went on strike, and we won a great contract.” ,Howard Worley, American Security, Town Square
“I saw the letter ABM gave to janitors. They gave us almost exactly the same letter, trying to scare us, but we stood together, struck, and won.” Tommy Covington, ABM Security, US Bancorp
Strike vote set for Feb 9th
Our bargaining committee unanimously recommends a YES vote.
Below are questions and answers about a strike over Unfair Labor Practices:
- Why is our bargaining committee recommending that we vote yes for a strike? Our bargaining committees, made up of over 100 of our co-workers, have been negotiating for new union contracts since November. The companies have refused to agree to many of the same standards that janitors and security officers in other cities already receive. Instead of bargaining in good faith, in many cases the companies have stalled, proposed to move us backwards, and tried to intimidate our members. Our elected bargaining committee unanimously recommends a YES vote for a one to two day strike to stop these unfair labor practices.
- Who decides if we strike? We are a democratic union. The first step is the membership must vote to give authorization to our bargaining committee to call a strike. This membership vote is set for February 9th, see details below. If the membership votes yes, then the second step is the bargaining committee will decide if and when it is necessary to call a strike, and decide the date.
- Can I be fired for participating in a strike? It is our right to strike under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. It is illegal for our employer to replace us permanently, fire, or discipline us for participating in a strike over unfair labor practices.
- What should I do if my manager says we will loose our jobs if we strike or picket?It is illegal for your manager to threaten to fire or discipline you for striking or picketing. Please report any threats immediately to your steward or the union hall.
- Our Union contract expired on January 1st. Are we still protected by the union? Yes, we are still part of the union. Even though the contract has expired, by law, all of the wages, benefits and working conditions in our contract must remain the same until the bargaining process is completed. This means that we cannot be fired or disciplined unjustly. If your manager tries to cut your hours or change your working conditions, you must report it immediately to your steward or the union hall.
- Can I be disciplined for talking about the union or the strike?: No, it is illegal for your manager to discipline you or treat you differently for talking about the union or the strike. If you are allowed to discuss family matters or sports or the weather at work, then you can discuss the union.
- Have janitors or security officers struck before? Yes, Janitors across the country, including Chicago and Houston, struck and won major improvements. Five years ago in the Twin cities, security officers in the same buildings where we work went on a one day strike and won 50 cent raises. At the end of these strikes, the workers all came back to work and no one lost their job.
Are They Crazy ?
Companies propose to slash our wages and benefits by:
~ Cutting our Full Time Jobs:
The companies’ proposal on January 8th would replace hundreds of full-time positions with part-time positions by changing Article 13, which sets requirements for the number of full-time positions in each building. Before we won Article (10 years ago),almost all janitorial work in the Twin Cities was part-time. Now most janitors are Full-Time and make $13.42 per hour. If your position becomes part-time,it means you would lose almost $2.50 per hour ! (The rate would be $10.95, plus you would lose your health insurance,vacation, and sick days.) How would the companies’ proposal affect your building ?See below:
1-Large Buildings Downtown(500,000 square feet or greater) 1 in 4 positions would become part time.
2-Medium Buildings Downtown(250,000 square feet or greater ) 1 in 2 positions would become part time.
3- Any Buildings in the Suburbus, all positions would become part-time.
~ $ 0 Pay Raise, and going backwards up to $2.50/hr:
The companies proposed no raise for 2013. Those who are cut from full-time to part-time would lose $2.50 per hour. Pay for full-time janitors in medium or small downtown buildings (less than 500,000 sq ft) would also drop a dollar per hour to $12.35. The companies tried to convince us that these wage cuts would just be for new employees, not the current janitors. But what do you think will happen to your job if suddenly all of the new hires make dollars less than you do? The spokesperson for the companies even acknowledged that other companies would try to undercut each other with these lower wage rates.
“ Today(1-9-2013) was a very sad day for all the janitorial workforce. We felt under-valued and unappreciated.” Brahim, Marsden
“It is an insult. The companies are playing with us in their proposal to cut our salaries. We must show our strength on the march on January 24th.” Zoila from ABLE
A New Year, but the same old story from janitorial companies
After five full days of negotiations, the companies still can’t seem to get themselves together. At the last meeting on December 27th, the companies didn’t come until 1:30pm (we started at 10:00am) and then at the last minute they announced they didn’t have the economic presentation they told us they would bring! We still are waiting for them to agree to a single one of the 23 articles where janitors proposed improvements.
A tale of two cities
|
Minneapolis |
Pittsburgh |
|
| Wage for full time janitors per hour 2012 |
$13.42 |
$15.37 |
| Health Insurance contribution by company per employee per hour |
$1.05 |
$3.35 |
| Pension contribution per employee per hour |
None |
$1.00 |
| Total Cost to company per employee |
$14.53 |
$19.67 |
The companies have claimed before that the rent tenants pay are much higher in other cities, so they can afford to pay them more. The only problem is … the average rent is actually higher in Minneapolis ($24/sq ft) than in Pittsburg ($21/sq ft)!
I am so frustrated with what happened today at the negotiations. The companies didn’t follow through on their word to present their economic proposal. We must organize and get ready for a fight in January” Jenny Polio, ABM
“The companies are just stalling. As my Latino sisters say: ‘Mucho Trabajo, Poco Dinero’ (a lot of work but little money)” Maryan Nur, Marsden
100 Janitors came to negotiations over two days
Companies drag their feet, but Janitors just get stronger and stronger!
Over the course of four negotiation sessions since November, the companies have just gone in circles. They still haven’t agreed to a single article we proposed, but they are starting to see that the longer they stall, the angrier and more determined we get about:
Protecting our jobs: When the companies proposed using supervisors and sub-contractors to do our work, our committee stood its ground, and we counter-proposed a ban on all subcontracting and temp work. Janitors gave many powerful examples of how supervisors and temp workers cheated union janitors out of hours.
Respect : Everyone knows grievances take too long. Janitors proposed speeding up the process by giving the companies clearer deadlines and penalties if they don’t respond quickly. The companies said no, but the committee won’t back down.
Just 10 days until our contract expires: when will the companies get serious?
We need to be united and help each other to win what we deserve and what is just. Lupita Ruby y Zulma Ruiz from Campbell Mithun building in downtown Minneapolis working for Harvard.
Margarita del Angel, Janitor at IDS with ABM. We are here in bargaining to stop the abuses at work, we are the union, use your rights!
Companies reject janitors’ proposals
On November 28th your elected union bargaining committee presented the companies with our proposal to move our industry forward. In the second meeting on December 12th the companies gave their written responses to the janitors’ proposals. The companies refused to agree on any of our proposed articles, including those addressing critical issues like workload and vacation.
They want us to go backwards!!
- Your job in danger: The companies proposed that a supervisor can do your work, and that your company can subcontract your job out to another, lower paid janitor.
- Making it even harder to transfer: The companies want to make it so you couldn’t transfer unless you have more than 12 months at your current building, and if you turn down any offer (even to a building you don’t want) , then you will be kicked off the transfer list for 12 more months.
- More workload: The companies want to start doing more window cleaning (will they will hire extra people, or just add it to your workload?)
- Eliminate your right to file a grievance over certain types of discipline.
- Increased probation: The companies proposed to increase it from 60 to 120 days.
Proposed Principles for our Union Contract Negotiations
Unlocking a Better Future for MN:
Proposed Principles for our Union Contract Negotiations
More than 7000 janitors, security officers, airport service workers, and retail cleaners are standing together to improve our sub-contracted industries. We stand up not only for ourselves, but for all sub-contracted workers, who more and more are the face of the economy that the 1% have forced on us. Will we take the 1%’s road to poverty, or unlock the door to a better future in Minnesota? Many of us will begin negotiations for new union contracts in the next few weeks. Based on months of member meetings and surveys, we have developed the following list of principles for our negotiations:
Justice for Janitors Videos!
Check out the new video by Labor Education Service of our skyway march for Good Jobs and a Green Future last Wednesday!
And this video of our contract kickoff last month!