By Jack Tomczuk, Philadelphia Inquirer
– Thousands of union janitors marched through Center City Wednesday, hoping to preserve their benefits and earn what they call fair wages.
The rally on Chestnut Street included brief speeches by mayoral candidate Jim Kenney, City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., and City Council President Darrell L. Clarke.
Members of SEIU 32BJ gathered outside a high-rise apartment building at 2116 Chestnut about 11:45 a.m. After exciting the crowd with chants and encouraging words, union leaders led a march to John F. Kennedy Plaza. The demonstrators shut down Market Street.
The union said in a news release that Greystar, the company that manages the building, was “illegally displacing union workers.” The Inquirer reported in August that Greystar let go of 13 union janitors in favor of nonunion workers.
“One company decides to change the paradigm,” Kenney said after speaking to the crowd. “I don’t think that’s fair.”
Greystar could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In Philadelphia, SEIU 32BJ membership numbers 2,800, with 1,400 more in the suburbs and 800 in Delaware. The union’s contract with Business Operators Labor Relations (BOLR) of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Philadelphia expires Oct. 15.
Bob Martin, president of BOLR, which represents managers, owners, and contractors who handle building maintenance – mostly in Center City – said he is looking to keep costs at the same levels.
“We are looking for containment in health and welfare costs, containment in pension costs and maintain fill-in worker flexibility,” Martin said.
Negotiations have begun, but “it’s early,” said William Hall, a shop steward involved in the process. The sides are to meet for a third session Thursday. Martin said the parties typically are able to reach an agreement before the contract expires.
Hall, who works as a janitor at Three Logan Square and has been a member of 32BJ for 20 years, said his job has helped his two sons.
“Without a union job, I would not be able to send them to college,” he said.
For others, the negotiations are more dire.
“I’m fighting for my job,” Robert Tucker said. “I’m fighting for my health care.”
Tucker, who has been in the union for 12 years, is a janitor in Center City. And he’s not that fond of the building owners and managers.
“They’re trying to get rid of the middle class,” he said. “We want a fair share of the American dream, because we deserve it.”
At JFK Plaza, Juanita Acree, a member of the union for 29 years, warned property owners not to cut the janitors’ wages, health care benefits or pension plans.
“I want them to know there’s an army rising,” she said.
Source – http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151001_Janitors_march_through_Center_City_for_their_jobs__benefits.html
