LOCAL
Justice for Janitors rally June 17 in Seattle
(June 9, 2016) — Puget Sound-area building owners and property managers are enjoying the booming office market, ranked one of the best in the nation. But their growing profit margins in a $3.2 billion rental income market are being made on the backs of their buildings’ janitors.
TAKE A STAND — Stand with hundreds of hardworking janitors and their families to Raise America and get Justice for Janitors at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 17 at Seattle’s Westlake Park, 401 Pine St.
At their last contract bargaining in 2012, SEIU 6 janitors made concessions amid a dire situation of office buildings with low occupancy. But in 2016, instead of respecting workers and sharing the prosperity of the current boom with a fair contract, the industry is squeezing more work out of fewer and fewer workers, causing injuries. Janitors literally run to finish the unrealistic workloads and often forego their rights to breaks and lunch.
Janitors have a very high on-the-job injury rate, largely due to the increased workloads. Their work is also dangerous as they are exposed to hypodermic needles and other health hazards in their everyday work.
“Janitors who work hard should receive respect and good wages, not workers’ comp claims and physical therapy,” said Charles Pannell, a Seattle janitor for more than 25 years.
Janitors, usually invisible to building occupants, have been appreciative of the show of support they have already received from representatives of many unions, from truckers to teachers, hospital and home care workers, and community and faith-based organizations.
Stand in solidarity with them again on Friday, June 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Westlake Park in Seattle.
ALSO at The Stand — Like you, janitors just want a better life for their families (by Sergio Salinas)