July 24th 2024.
On Tuesday, janitors who are part of the Service Employees International Union Local 105 gathered to vote on whether to authorize a strike in the metro Denver area. This decision came after negotiations with 17 cleaning contractors failed to result in satisfactory terms for the union members.
The current contract, which expires on July 28, covers approximately 2,400 janitors working in around 1,500 buildings. According to Stephanie Felix-Sowy, president of SEIU Local 105, the main concerns for the union members include fair wages and addressing the issue of increased workload.
Felix-Sowy explained, "When we talk about workload, we mean the added responsibilities that have been placed on our members while their hours have been cut. This has been a major concern for us."
One of the union members, Eva Martinez, has been working as a janitor for 30 years at Republic Plaza in downtown Denver. She expressed her frustration with the current situation, stating that before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 24 janitors working at the building, but now there are only 12.
Felix-Sowy translated for Martinez, who spoke in Spanish. The union has reported that about 90% of the janitors are Latina immigrants. Martinez shared that the janitors are hoping for a fair agreement, but are prepared to strike if necessary.
According to SEIU spokesman David Fernandez, 100% of the members who voted were in favor of a strike. However, the union did not disclose the total number of ballots cast during the three days of voting.
If an agreement is not reached by the deadline, the union members will decide on the next course of action. Martinez highlighted the challenges they face in their work, explaining that while the building occupancy has decreased on some days due to the pandemic, it has returned to pre-pandemic levels on other days. This makes it difficult for the 12 janitors to complete their tasks within the 8-hour workday, resulting in warnings from their employers.
Apart from addressing workload concerns, the union is also negotiating for fair wages that will enable the workers to cover their expenses in the face of rising costs. Felix-Sowy emphasized, "Our members have made it clear that they do not want to be considered minimum-wage workers. The purpose of collective bargaining is to achieve more than the minimum."
Martinez, who is asking for respect for the work she does, echoed this sentiment. "Janitors believe that their job is dignified and they should be treated as such," Felix-Sowy stated.
However, John Nesse, the labor relations attorney representing the employers, shared a different perspective. In an email, he stated that the cleaning contractors have met with the union several times since June. The group of employers is known as the Denver Maintenance Contractors Association.
The union has reached agreements with other SEIU locals in cities such as Houston, Minneapolis, and Seattle. Felix-Sowy also mentioned that members in San Francisco have voted to authorize a strike.
Nesse expressed hope that a new agreement will be reached before the current contract expires. He added, "We are disappointed that the union is threatening to strike, but we will continue to negotiate in good faith."
However, the union members have made their demands clear. According to Felix-Sowy, they want to eliminate wage disparities based on the location of their workplaces. This was also reiterated by Maria Hernandez, a janitor for the past 39 years and a member of the bargaining committee, who stated that cleaning companies view the essential work of janitors as minimum-wage jobs, despite being a part of a multibillion-dollar industry in Colorado.
At the voting site, SEIU members were joined by Paul Lopez, the Denver Clerk and Recorder. Lopez, who was a union organizer for five years, shared his personal connection to the janitorial work as both he and his father have worked as janitors.
He urged the cleaning companies to come to the table and negotiate in good faith. "These are the very folks that make our downtown thrive and contribute to a strong economy. I urge these companies to move the ball forward," Lopez stated.
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