Friday, August 31, 2007
A Tentative Agreement has been Reached!!!
A tentative agreement has been reached in bargaining. We will have more details once the members of SEIU 615 get a chance to decide whether to ratify the agreement. So the pilgrimage march in Lawrence on Monday has been canceled. Again, stay tuned for more details. We will have more information available as soon as we can.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Strike Preparation and Training Action -- August 30
August 30 marks the final day before the expiration of the janitors' current contract. Join us in a preparation and training for janitors who may be forced to go on strike.
Join us at any of these locations:
(Click on location names for a map to the meeting point)
4:00 pm: Downtown Crossing
4:00 pm State Street T Stop
4:30 pm Burlington -- 75 Middlesex Road
5 pm -- Andover 100-200 Brickstone Square
4:30 pm -- Quincy -- 100 Newport Avenue
We'll see you in the streets!
Join us at any of these locations:
(Click on location names for a map to the meeting point)
4:00 pm: Downtown Crossing
4:00 pm State Street T Stop
4:30 pm Burlington -- 75 Middlesex Road
5 pm -- Andover 100-200 Brickstone Square
4:30 pm -- Quincy -- 100 Newport Avenue
We'll see you in the streets!
Donate to the Strike Fund!
Every day, janitors keep the Boston economy alive by taking out our trash and scrubbing our bathrooms. Now they are asking for your help.
In 2002, janitors were forced to strike to begin to improve their lives. If necessary, they are ready to do what they must to build a better life for their families.
You can support the janitors with a financial contribution to the Strike Fund.
Checks can be mailed to:
SEIU LOCAL 615
26 West Street
Boston, MA 02111
All checks should be made out to SEIU Local 615 Strike Fund.
In 2002, janitors were forced to strike to begin to improve their lives. If necessary, they are ready to do what they must to build a better life for their families.
You can support the janitors with a financial contribution to the Strike Fund.
Checks can be mailed to:
SEIU LOCAL 615
26 West Street
Boston, MA 02111
All checks should be made out to SEIU Local 615 Strike Fund.
90 years ago, these women fought for justice
Today's janitors still want the same thing. On Wednesday, August 22nd, janitors in downtown Boston delivered Bread and Roses to building owners.
In 1912, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, workers demanded both higher wages and a decent life for themselves and their families. Their cry of “Bread and Roses” was for more than a subsistence life and set the stage for improvements in the lives of American workers here and across the country.
Today, janitors are struggling to make ends meet without the “Bread and Roses” they need, while the New England real estate industry boasts record profits and $10 billion in sales in Boston alone.
In 1912, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, workers demanded both higher wages and a decent life for themselves and their families. Their cry of “Bread and Roses” was for more than a subsistence life and set the stage for improvements in the lives of American workers here and across the country.
Today, janitors are struggling to make ends meet without the “Bread and Roses” they need, while the New England real estate industry boasts record profits and $10 billion in sales in Boston alone.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Why Full-Time? By Luis Santana
Why Full-Time?By Luis Santana
Because I don't have a good salary;
Because I cannot protect my family's health;
Because I don't have any space to rest;
Because I cannot perform the continuous job of being a father and a husband.
Because I cannot see an educational
future for my children;
Because dreams cannot come true
with low wages.
So, why more full-time?
Why do you, being so unfair,
Not choose to be fair to those
who have justice on our side?
Porque a Tiempo Completo?
De Luis Santana
De Luis Santana
Porque no tengo buen salario;
Porque no tengo completa la salud familiar;
Porque no tengo el espacio para el descanso;
Porque no tengo la labor continúa
de ser padre y esposo.
Porque no veo en mí,
el futuro educativo de mis hijos.
Porque los sueños no se pueden realizar
con poco salario.
¿Que por qué más a tiempo completo?
¿Porqué tú, señor injusto, no te propones
ser justo para los justos?
Porque no tengo completa la salud familiar;
Porque no tengo el espacio para el descanso;
Porque no tengo la labor continúa
de ser padre y esposo.
Porque no veo en mí,
el futuro educativo de mis hijos.
Porque los sueños no se pueden realizar
con poco salario.
¿Que por qué más a tiempo completo?
¿Porqué tú, señor injusto, no te propones
ser justo para los justos?
Yesterday We Buried a Child (Margarita's Story)
Yesterday We Buried a Child
Margarita Restrepo's Story
(as told to Jeb Mays)
Margarita Restrepo's Story
(as told to Jeb Mays)
Yesterday we buried a child.
He was just 14 –
But he seemed much older somehow.
Yesterday we buried my friend's boy.
He was always such a good boy
Watching his younger brother, taking
Care of his baby sister –
He called them "my kids."
Yesterday we buried my friend's son.
Who knows why he decided
To take his own life?
Was it because his mom worked
From 5 am to 10 pm and
Was never home to listen to his
Stories and complaints and
Because it got too hard to be a
Parent to the other kids when he
Needed a parent for himself?
Yesterday we buried a child – my friend's son
Her boy, the light of her life.
He was just 14 –
But he seemed much older somehow.
Yesterday we buried my friend's boy.
He was always such a good boy
Watching his younger brother, taking
Care of his baby sister –
He called them "my kids."
Yesterday we buried my friend's son.
Who knows why he decided
To take his own life?
Was it because his mom worked
From 5 am to 10 pm and
Was never home to listen to his
Stories and complaints and
Because it got too hard to be a
Parent to the other kids when he
Needed a parent for himself?
Yesterday we buried a child – my friend's son
Her boy, the light of her life.
Monday, August 27, 2007
New England Janitors Authorize the Use of a Strike if Necessary
Janitors march on Newbury Street
By Brian R. Ballou, Boston Globe Staff August 26, 2007
"Moments after authorizing a strike yesterday afternoon, about 400 janitorial workers wearing purple union shirts marched through Boston's Newbury Street shopping district, passing posh clothing boutiques, art galleries, and tourists with cameras and shopping bags under their arms.
'We're just asking the companies who employ our workers to share the prosperity,' said Rocio Saenz, president of Service Employees International Union Local 615, which represents more than 16,000 janitors and security officers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.
'Nobody wants to strike, but today we are sending a clear message that we are prepared to do so if we are not offered a living wage and full-time jobs with health benefits,' she said, just after finishing the mile-long march along Newbury and several other downtown streets."
Click here to read the full article on boston.com.
"Moments after authorizing a strike yesterday afternoon, about 400 janitorial workers wearing purple union shirts marched through Boston's Newbury Street shopping district, passing posh clothing boutiques, art galleries, and tourists with cameras and shopping bags under their arms.
'We're just asking the companies who employ our workers to share the prosperity,' said Rocio Saenz, president of Service Employees International Union Local 615, which represents more than 16,000 janitors and security officers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.
'Nobody wants to strike, but today we are sending a clear message that we are prepared to do so if we are not offered a living wage and full-time jobs with health benefits,' she said, just after finishing the mile-long march along Newbury and several other downtown streets."
Click here to read the full article on boston.com.
Update on Community Delegations
Community leaders and activists have gone on delegations to property owners in our region. On a few occasions community leaders were able to secure a meeting with a representative from the firms in question and on each occasion the people with whom they spoke with expressed concern and a willingness to speak to the cleaning companies that they employ.
One of these delegations was lead by Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon. It is important the property owners recognize that the people who clean their buildings are not just janitors but they are mothers, fathers, neighbors, and friends. They are members and leaders in our communities. Thank you to those who have already participated in delegations and contact us if you are interested in putting together a delegation we can help get you started.
One of these delegations was lead by Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon. It is important the property owners recognize that the people who clean their buildings are not just janitors but they are mothers, fathers, neighbors, and friends. They are members and leaders in our communities. Thank you to those who have already participated in delegations and contact us if you are interested in putting together a delegation we can help get you started.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Boston Globe's Adrian Walker calls it "A Fight for One Good Job"
"Candida Gomes has three children, and she wishes she spent more time with them.
She gets up at 5:30 to get them off to school. Then she heads for her first job, cleaning the Wrentham State School.
She gets back to her house in Pawtucket around 5 and puts on dinner before she reports to her second job, cleaning an office building in downtown Providence.
By the time she gets back home, her children -- ages 18, 11, and 5 -- are supposed to be asleep,
and usually they are.
Gomes came to the United States from Cape Verde 10 years ago, in search, she says, of a better life."
She gets up at 5:30 to get them off to school. Then she heads for her first job, cleaning the Wrentham State School.
She gets back to her house in Pawtucket around 5 and puts on dinner before she reports to her second job, cleaning an office building in downtown Providence.
By the time she gets back home, her children -- ages 18, 11, and 5 -- are supposed to be asleep,
and usually they are.
Gomes came to the United States from Cape Verde 10 years ago, in search, she says, of a better life."
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Religious Leaders Speak Out
On Wednesday August 22nd religious leaders from the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish traditions came together to express their support for the struggle of janitors to win a better life for themselves and their families. Economic justice and workers’ rights is a moral issue. Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. pastor of Charles St. A.M.E. Church made a personal connection when he spoke about his father who was a janitor for 40 years. He also talked about how pained he was to hear about janitors presently struggling to make ends meet. Rabbi Jonah Pesner after hearing the testimony of a 615 member, who leaves here house at 6am in the morning while her children are sleeping and returns home at 10:30p after they have gone to bed stated, “may G-d have mercy on us, may G-d have mercy on our community.”
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Strike Vote Action this Saturday at 1:00! Final Community Briefing and Civil Disobedience Training on Tuesday the 28th!
We have many actions coming up in the next few weeks. These are THE two events in the next few days that Community turnout and participation are key to make successful. If there are only two events you can make it to, have it be these two. Also, sign the Principles for a Responsible Real Estate Industry as another way to show your support. Here are the 3 action items:
1. This Saturday at the Arlington Street Boston Back Bay to show the cleaning companies our strength and community support. Gather at the church at 1:00.
Contact Ana or Jeremy for more information:
Ana Horton, Community Organizer SEIU 615
ahorton@seiu615.org or 617-878-7483
Ana Horton, Community Organizer SEIU 615
ahorton@seiu615.org or 617-878-7483
jshenk@seiu615.org or 617-878-7520
2. Then on Tuesday August 28th there will be the final community briefing to get updated on the negotiations and on upcoming events and a training on Civil Disobedience.
Contact Ana or Jeremy for more information:
Ana Horton, Community Organizer SEIU 615
ahorton@seiu615.org or 617-878-7483
Ana Horton, Community Organizer SEIU 615
ahorton@seiu615.org or 617-878-7483
jshenk@seiu615.org or 617-878-7520
3. And you can sign the Principles for a Responsible Real Estate Industry online here: http://seiuaction.org/campaign/petition_for_responsible_real_estate
Through the solidarity of community and labor a better Boston
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Hundreds of Janitors and their supporters march through a major office tower protesting employer wage offer
In response to the terrible offer received on Wednesday Janitors again took to the streets. The offer was a measly 10 cent raise in the suburbs and 15 cent raise in Boston!
What could you buy with 15 cents?
In 2002 janitors were forced to go on strike. They want to do it differently this year but to do that they need community support. The janitors are ready to do what it takes but they need you to stand with them. The contract expires on August 31st and your help is crucial. Here are a couple of things you can do to support economic justice for janitors:
Call the Maintenance Contractors of New England at 973-771-1771 and tell them that janitors need better wages, more hours, and family health insurance.
Or join one of the community delegations to visit building owners to urge them to tell the cleaning companies to do the right thing. To join call Jeremy at 617-878-7520 or email jshenk@seiu615.org.
Check back regularly and send an email to get on the email alert list for updates on all the actions coming up as the push to gain a fair contract for hardworking janitors heats up.
In 2002 janitors were forced to go on strike. They want to do it differently this year but to do that they need community support. The janitors are ready to do what it takes but they need you to stand with them. The contract expires on August 31st and your help is crucial. Here are a couple of things you can do to support economic justice for janitors:
Call the Maintenance Contractors of New England at 973-771-1771 and tell them that janitors need better wages, more hours, and family health insurance.
Or join one of the community delegations to visit building owners to urge them to tell the cleaning companies to do the right thing. To join call Jeremy at 617-878-7520 or email jshenk@seiu615.org.
Check back regularly and send an email to get on the email alert list for updates on all the actions coming up as the push to gain a fair contract for hardworking janitors heats up.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Janitors: Big Landlord Agrees on Contract Goals
By Chris Reidy, Boston Globe -- August 15, 2007
"SEIU Local 615 said today that Blackstone Group LP, owner of many area office properties, has agreed to the union's goals of supporting full-time work and family health insurance for janitors who clean and maintain its properties.
"Earlier this year, Blackstone won a bidding war to buy Equity Office Properties Trust, which at the time was largest owner and manager of office space in Boston.
"Today SEIU Local 615 president Rocio Saenz said in a statement, 'Blackstone has taken an important first step in supporting Boston and New England's working
families.'"
Click here to read the full Boston Globe article on boston.com.
"SEIU Local 615 said today that Blackstone Group LP, owner of many area office properties, has agreed to the union's goals of supporting full-time work and family health insurance for janitors who clean and maintain its properties.
"Earlier this year, Blackstone won a bidding war to buy Equity Office Properties Trust, which at the time was largest owner and manager of office space in Boston.
"Today SEIU Local 615 president Rocio Saenz said in a statement, 'Blackstone has taken an important first step in supporting Boston and New England's working
families.'"
Click here to read the full Boston Globe article on boston.com.
.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Community support needed as contract expiration approaches
Community support has never been as important to the struggle of janitors in the region as it is now. Your support is essential in the struggle to gain the better hours, wages, and benefits janitors need. Please join us on our marches, participate in one of the delegations visiting building owners, or by signing the Principles for a Responsible Real Estate Industry document. Here is our current list of upcoming events which we will be updating regularly as more are added to the list.
For more information on these or any other new events contact:
Ana Horton at 617-878-7438 or ahorton@seiu615.org
or Jeremy Shenk at 617-878-7520 or jshenk@seiu615.org
Thursday August 16th at 4:00 pm
At Macy's downtown Boston
For more information on these or any other new events contact:
Ana Horton at 617-878-7438 or ahorton@seiu615.org
or Jeremy Shenk at 617-878-7520 or jshenk@seiu615.org
Thursday August 16th at 4:00 pm
At Macy's downtown Boston
Rally and March in response to Cleaning Contractors' economic counter proposal
Tuesday August 21st all day
Community Delegations to visit building owners. If you are interested in either organizing or joining a delegation contact us. Dates and times are flexible
Wednesday August 22nd noon
Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St (across from Park St T station), downtown Boston
"Religious Leaders Speak Out" press conference.
Saturday August 25th 1:00
At Arlington St Church, corner of Arlington and Boyleston, downtown
Strike vote action
Tuesday August 28th noon
"Labor Leaders Speak Out" press conference
Offices of SEIU 615, 26 West St, downtown Boston
Tuesday August 28 6:00
Seiu 615 offices, 26 West St, downtown
Final Community Briefing with updates on bargaining and upcoming actions and training on Civil Disobedience.
Tuesday August 28 time TBA
at SEIU 615 offices, 26 West St, downtown
Final Community Briefing on Contract negotiations and campaign plans
August 28-31 4:00 locations TBA
Daily actions during last week of contract negotiations every day at 4:00 with a major action on the last day of the contract August 31st.
Tuesday August 21st all day
Community Delegations to visit building owners. If you are interested in either organizing or joining a delegation contact us. Dates and times are flexible
Wednesday August 22nd noon
Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St (across from Park St T station), downtown Boston
"Religious Leaders Speak Out" press conference.
Saturday August 25th 1:00
At Arlington St Church, corner of Arlington and Boyleston, downtown
Strike vote action
Tuesday August 28th noon
"Labor Leaders Speak Out" press conference
Offices of SEIU 615, 26 West St, downtown Boston
Tuesday August 28 6:00
Seiu 615 offices, 26 West St, downtown
Final Community Briefing with updates on bargaining and upcoming actions and training on Civil Disobedience.
Tuesday August 28 time TBA
at SEIU 615 offices, 26 West St, downtown
Final Community Briefing on Contract negotiations and campaign plans
August 28-31 4:00 locations TBA
Daily actions during last week of contract negotiations every day at 4:00 with a major action on the last day of the contract August 31st.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Sweeping through Downtown on August 11
Local 615 members and community supporters swept, danced, and chanted their way through Downtown Crossing by the hundreds on Saturday.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Scene from downtown Boston on August 2
SEIU Local 615 members joined with community allies to take their message to the streets on August 2. More pictures from marches all across the region coming soon!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
"Office janitors take to streets as union contract nears expiration"
By Greg Turner, Metro West Daily News -- August 2, 2007
"Workers who clean hundreds of office buildings across Boston and MetroWest have less than a month to fight for higher wages, health benefits and full-time jobs, before their union's contract with management expires.
Before the current contract was approved in 2002, janitors went on strike for three weeks, disrupting cleaning schedules at hundreds of office buildings across the region.
Janitors have held two marches in as many months to raise awareness of their situation; a third demonstration is set for today at eight locations around Greater Boston, including Marlborough, Westborough and Waltham.
'Janitors are a critical piece of the (commercial) real estate industry,' said Lauren Jacobs, director of the 'Justice for Janitors' campaign at Boston-based SEIU Local 615. 'They go in (to offices) when people have gone home for the evening, take out their trash, clean out their kitchens and bathrooms,' Jacob said. 'Most tenants don't see all those services being done for them. This provides visibility to the janitorial work force.'
Click here to read the full article on metrowestdailynews.com
"Workers who clean hundreds of office buildings across Boston and MetroWest have less than a month to fight for higher wages, health benefits and full-time jobs, before their union's contract with management expires.
Before the current contract was approved in 2002, janitors went on strike for three weeks, disrupting cleaning schedules at hundreds of office buildings across the region.
Janitors have held two marches in as many months to raise awareness of their situation; a third demonstration is set for today at eight locations around Greater Boston, including Marlborough, Westborough and Waltham.
'Janitors are a critical piece of the (commercial) real estate industry,' said Lauren Jacobs, director of the 'Justice for Janitors' campaign at Boston-based SEIU Local 615. 'They go in (to offices) when people have gone home for the evening, take out their trash, clean out their kitchens and bathrooms,' Jacob said. 'Most tenants don't see all those services being done for them. This provides visibility to the janitorial work force.'
Click here to read the full article on metrowestdailynews.com
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