MINNEAPOLIS - Twin Cities janitors, represented by Service Employees International Union Local 26, are waging a struggle for good jobs that also protect the environment. View videos and coverage of their campaign.
March 6, 2010 Twin Cities janitors ratify new contract Twin Cities janitors voted unanimously March 6 to approve a new three-year contract with area cleaning contractors, winning important gains in pay and health benefits and beginning a transition to full-time green jobs.
Feb. 23, 2010, 'Stop playing monopoly with our lives' demonstration Demonstrators showered the lobby of the Wells Fargo Center with Monopoly play money Tuesday to protest the bank’s failure to help tens of thousands of Minnesotans facing foreclosure – and management’s refusal to support a fair contract for janitors who clean the bank.
Feb. 16, 2010, action to protest Minnesota Bankers Association Janitors clean the buildings of major banks like US Bancorp and Wells Fargo, but bankers have refused to support a fair contract for workers.
Jan. 30, 2010, vote to authorize strike if necessary
Dec. 30, 2009, march for justice
Janitors of Service Employees International Union Local 26 held a rally and march in Minneapolis to voice their need for full time, energy efficient and ecologically friendly jobs. Video by Randy Croce, Labor Education Service, University of Minnesota.
Dec. 5, 2009, janitors’ convention
SEIU Local 26 janitors held their 2009 convention to kick off their campaign for Good Jobs and a Green Future for Twin Cities janitors. Video by Local 26.
News articles Janitors ratify new contract March 7, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - Twin Cities janitors voted unanimously March 6 to approve a new three-year contract with area cleaning contractors, winning important gains in pay and health benefits and beginning a transition to full-time green jobs.
Twin Cities janitors declare victory in campaign for ‘good jobs, green future’ March 1, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - Several major cleaning companies and the union representing more than 4,000 Twin Cities janitors reached a contract settlement Sunday – narrowly avoiding a strike. The tentative agreement supports the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products and transitions to day shift cleaning, the union said.
US Bancorp executives agree to meet with janitor facing foreclosure Feb. 28, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - Executives from U.S. Bank agreed to meet with Rosalina Gavilan Gomez, a janitor at U.S. Bancorp in Minneapolis who cleans the office of U.S. Bancorp President and CEO Richard K. Davis. Gavilan Gomez had planned to deliver a letter to Davis, asking him for help to save her home — a home foreclosed on by U.S. Bank.
‘Stop playing monopoly with our lives,’ protesters tell bank Feb. 23, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - Demonstrators showered the lobby of the Wells Fargo Center with Monopoly play money Tuesday to protest the bank’s failure to help tens of thousands of Minnesotans facing foreclosure – and management’s refusal to support a fair contract for janitors who clean the bank.
Janitors disrupt bankers’ meeting, escalate contract campaign Feb. 16, 2010 By Barb Kucera, Workday editor MINNEAPOLIS - In their quest for a fair contract, Twin Cities janitors filled Minneapolis skyways Monday and disrupted a meeting of banking lobbyists in St. Paul Tuesday.
Environmental groups pledge support for janitors’ campaign, possible strike Feb. 10, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - People who work in downtown office buildings don’t want to be exposed to toxic chemicals and support janitors who want to adopt “green” cleaning techniques, the leader of a major Minnesota environmental organization said Wednesday.
Janitors to march through Minneapolis skyways Monday Feb. 10, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - Twin Cities janitors have scheduled a march through the Minneapolis skyway system on Monday, Feb. 15, to escalate their campaign for a fair contract.
Twin Cities janitors vote to authorize strike Jan. 31, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - Janitors who clean the majority of commercial buildings in the metro area have authorized their union bargaining committee to call a strike if a fair contract is not reached with Twin Cities cleaning companies.
Green approach to cleaning can save money and the environment, new report says By Barb Kucera, Workday editor Jan. 26, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - Twin Cities building owners could save up to $10 million a year – and benefit workers and the environment – by switching to daytime cleaning, according to a new report released Tuesday by the Blue Green Alliance and SEIU Local 26.
Twin Cities janitors set strike authorization vote Jan. 25, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - After employers failed to meet a deadline to discuss green cleaning and affordable health insurance, Twin Cities janitors set a strike authorization vote over unfair labor practices for Saturday, Jan. 30.
Janitors to hold community meeting Jan. 19, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - Janitors who have filed a racial discrimination suit against a Twin Cities cleaning contractor will hold a community meeting Thursday in Minneapolis to discuss their situation.
Twin Cities janitors working without a contract Jan. 11, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - More than 4,000 janitors from across the Twin Cities began working without a contract Monday after an agreement with their employers expired Friday.
Janitors charge ABM Janitorial Services with racial discrimination Jan. 6, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS - American Building Maintenance Janitorial Services, the largest janitorial contractor in the Twin Cities, uses racial discriminatory hiring and pay practices against African Americans and African immigrants, according to charges filed by workers Wednesday with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Janitors fill Minneapolis skyways to call for fair contract By Barb Kucera, Workday editor Dec. 30, 2009 MINNEAPOLIS - Joined by supporters, hundreds of Twin Cities janitors marched through downtown Minneapolis skyways Wednesday to demand a fair settlement with cleaning contractors.
Support Twin Cities janitors on Wednesday Dec. 22, 2009 MINNEAPOLIS - Twin Cities janitors, fighting to maintain full-time jobs and to institute “green job” practices, will hold a solidarity demonstration Wednesday, Dec. 30, in downtown Minneapolis.
Janitors plan solidarity meeting Dec. 21 Dec. 18, 2009 MINNEAPOLIS - Twin Cities janitors represented by Service Employees International Union Local 26 invite other union members and supporters to join them at a solidarity meeting Monday.
Good jobs, green future: Twin Cities janitors launch green cleaning campaign Dec. 6, 2009 MINNEAPOLIS - Hundreds of Twin Cities janitors — joined by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Congressman Keith Ellison — kicked off their contract campaign with a call to “make green cleaning a reality.”
Twin Cities janitors launch campaign for good, green jobs Dec. 2, 2009 MINNEAPOLIS - Twin Cities janitors and supporters will gather Saturday to launch a new contract campaign focusing on full-time, family-supporting jobs that also are good for the environment.
