Janitors Demand Full-time Work

Hundreds of DC janitors and their supporters massed in McPherson Square Park late Wednesday afternoon in the third daily Justice for Janitors rally and march this week. When SEIU 32BJ Area Director Jaime Contreras called out "32" the enthusiastic response from the sea of members sporting purple and yellow signs, shirts and caps rolled back "BJ!" The union opened contract talks early this year – they normally begin in September but started this week -- to focus on the need for full time work for janitors; 75% are part time in the metro DC area and so don’t get benefits like healthcare. In addition to support from allies like the Metro Council, DC Jobs with Justice and Casa de Maryland, four DC City Council members – Vincent Orange, Brianne Nadeau, Elissa Silverman and Charles Allen -- attended the rally, pledging their support for the janitors and their campaign. “At the end of the day, together we stand, divided we fall,” said Orange. In an interview with Union City, Contreras was optimistic about his union’s campaign for full-time work for area janitors. “It’s time,” he said. The janitors marched through downtown DC after the rally, chanting “Si se puede” as their banners snapped in the breeze. After rallying in DC on Monday, Bethesda on Tuesday, and DC again on Wednesday, the campaign moves to Virginia on Thursday and Friday; click here for details.
- report/photos by Chris Garlock