Celebrating Justice For Janitors Day

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Workers, members and supporters of SEIU Local 32BJ will rally in McPherson Square today at 4:30P to celebrate Justice for Janitors Day and to fight for a fair contract for area janitors. The demo honors “the incredible organizing efforts of those janitors and cleaners who decided to join together and take action to demand respect and a better life,” say rally organizers. “Today we are continuing the struggle.” For two decades, SEIU's Justice for Janitors movement has helped low-wage workers who clean buildings achieve social and economic justice and earn broad-based support from the public as well as religious, political and community leaders, reports SEIU. With "One Industry, One Union, One Contract" serving as both campaign slogan and organizing strategy, the Justice for Janitors campaign has coordinated efforts nationally and internationally to raise wages and increase basic benefits and job security for janitors. Click here to RSVP. - Photo: On June 15, 1990, striking janitors and their supporters held a peaceful march and demonstration in LA's Century City district. As the protest got underway, 400 striking janitors fighting to win a union to build a better life for their families found themselves squaring off against fifty baton wielding police officers - when the workers linked arms to cross the street, they were beat back by dozens of police officers, and thirty-eight of the wounded marchers were arrested; photo courtesy SEIU