Activism and Techniques Utilized by Justice for Janitors

One of the reasons which SEIU and Justice for Janitors is so successful is the aforementioned creation of a community of janitors. This is the strategy taken by SEIU according to a 2005 article in the The Economist:

"Rather than mounting a campaign at each workplace separately, it will negotiate one big industry-wide contract. This, in theory, eliminates each cleaning company's fear of being undercut by competitors if it allows higher wages. The companies agreed to stay neutral. The strategy bypasses the National Labour Relations Board, which usually oversees the unionisation of workers. That is a bonus in a place like Houston, where undocumented workers would rather not get the government involved."

As such, since many buildings nationwide have their custodial services managed by larger corporations in multiple cities, Justice for Janitors and SEIU worked to make as many contracts expire in 2000 as possible, allowing for a nationwide movement for increased rights for janitors. Justice for Janitors also commonly includes local religious, ethnic, and political organizations in their movement for social equality. This aspect of involving the community helps bring a larger voice to the mediation which SEIU oversees. (Economist)

Description

The Mayor of San Jose, California gives a speech at a SEIU rally

However, when mediation and arbitration are unsuccessful, Justice for Janitors takes large strides to inform building owners that it is their responsibility to ensure that contractors adequately pay and support their employees. Specific instances of Janitors for Justice action can be seen in the 2000 movie Bread and Roses.

Click here for a synopsis of Bread and Roses

Here are some the current battles that Janitors for Justice are fighting across America!

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