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SEIU Local 3 and
Operating Engineers Cooperation
Opens Up Career Paths for Janitors

Bill Cagney of IUOE Local 95 speaks in support of the program: Photo by Tom Hoffman

Under a new cooperative plan announced by SEIU Local 3 and the Operating Engineers Local 95, many Local 3 Janitors are now eligible to take classes in the Operating Engineers training fund. The training fund has been available to the building engineers for many years and offers courses in physical and chemical safety, electrical systems, refrigeration, boiler maintenance and even computer skills.

At a press conference on May 10th representatives of both Unions along with representatives from Central Property Services and Duquesne University announced that janitors working at Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University and Point Park College are now eligible to take courses through the fund. The ultimate goal is to make these courses available to all of the 5000 building service workers in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. 

Training programs like this have been very successful across the country.  They have made building service jobs into jobs that not only support families but also can provide career paths to higher paying skilled labor jobs.  The training fund is supported by contributions from the employers.  They see these training programs as adding value to the operations of their building.  Some building owners have actually seen decreased insurance costs because of the increased training.