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JANITORS IN COLUMBUS, CINCINNATI
AND INDIANAPOLIS
FIGHTING FOR JOBS THAT SUPPORT FAMILIES

Cincinnati and Indianapolis Gear Up
for Big Justice for Janitors Day Rallies on June 15th!!

Janitors in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis – three new cities for Local 3 — are stepping up the fight for wages that can support families and affordable health care.

Uniting with janitors in these low wage cities is important for Local 3’s  contracts next year.  These cities are breeding grounds for non-Union contractors  and owners that threaten our workers’ jobs.  Aetna, a major non-Union cleaner in Columbus, has bid on work in Cleveland and Detroit.  Duke Realty, the major
non-Union real estate company in Cincinnati and Indianapolis, has holdings all across our region.

Indianapolis White Paper Release Press Conference: photo by Dana Sevakis

Broad community and religions coalitions have come together to stand with the janitors.  These coalitions are unlike any the cities have seen for years.  In  April, community leaders in Cincinnati and Indianapolis signed open letters that  were published in area papers calling on building owners to play a positive role in improving janitors’ lives.  Building delegations led by janitors and community members were followed by press conferences in both cities. 

In Columbus, janitors and community leaders unfurled a banner reading “Aetna Respect Workers’ Rights” in the lobby of the LeVeque building in downtown.  The building is cleaned by Aetna Building Maintenance, a major cleaning contractor in  the city that is determined to continue paying poverty wages to janitors. 

Cincinnati White Paper Release Press Conference

On June 15th, major Justice for Janitors Day rallies will take place in two of the tri-cities; Cincinnati and Indianapolis.  Every June 15th janitors and community supporters demonstrate to call attention to our fight for living wages and benefits.  Justice for Janitors Day was established after janitors in Los Angeles were beaten by police during a peaceful demonstration against the cleaning contractor ISS, on June 15, 1990. The public outrage that generated from this incident resulted in ISS agreeing to recognize L.A. janitors in a union.  In remembrance of that day, SEIU janitors and supporters take action every June 15th in cities nationwide and in countries around the world.

Press Links

 April 21st Indy Star Article by Dana Knight
 April 24th Indy Star Column by Dan Carpenter
 May 18th Indy Star Column by Dan Carpenter
 March 9th Cincinnati Enquirer Article by John Eckberg
 March 9th City Beat Article by Chris Charlson 
 April 13th Cincinnati Post Article by Jon Newberry 

Resources

 Indyjanitors.org

Download flyer for Indianapolis Rally*

 Cincijanitors.org

Download flyer for Cincinnati Rally*

* Note:
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