7,000 Janitors In NJ Might Strike If Deal Can’t Be Reached

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Nearly 7,000 janitors and custodians throughout New Jersey may go on strike if a deal with their employers isn’t reached by New Year’s Day, their union says.

Last week, 32BJ SEIU opened bargaining for the janitors, who clean roughly 500 buildings throughout the state, including PATH stations, landmarks such as the Goldman Sachs Tower, Novartis’ 1 Health Plaza and the Prudential Center in Newark, and properties used by Allergan, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Merck and Bristol Meyers-Squibb.

The workers are employed with more than 50 different contracting companies. If the union and the employers don’t come to an agreement by the current contract’s expiration at midnight Dec. 31, the janitors could strike, according to 32BJ SEIU.

The workers are demanding that their employers keep the “quality, employer-paid family health care” in their current contracts. They also want raises, increased paid sick time and protections from sexual harassment.

Those workers include Michelle Lewis, a cleaner at Columbia High School in Maplewood who said she “wouldn’t be here today” without the health insurance she gets through her job.

“All working people need quality health benefits,” Lewis said. “It’s a basic human right that employers need to understand is the new norm.”

For Sandra Agudelo, a cleaner at Allergan in Madison, the new contract means more protection from unwanted sexual advances on the job.

“We all need to feel safe at work,” Agudelo said. “Sexual harassment is a real issue in the service industry that a lot of us face on the job. Some people are scared to speak up about it, but our union educates us on our rights and holds employers accountable.”

Other workers such as Mary Francis Cuadrado, a cleaner at Merck and Celgene, said the new contract would protect hard-fought wage increases as the cost of living goes up in New Jersey.

“This isn’t my first time sitting at the bargaining table, and like last time, I’m confident that we will win our demands,” Cuadrado said. ““We’re fighting not just for our union, but for all working people.”

According to 32BJ SEIU, the “vast majority” of cleaners covered by the commercial contract currently earn between $15.35 and $17.30 per hour. However, a family of four needs to earn $74,748 per year to simply survive in New Jersey. The median wage for 32BJ SEIU janitors at $15.55 per hour — about $32,240 peryear — is far below the survival wage, union spokespeople pointed out.

There is money passing through the system, but it’s not trickling down, the union alleged. According to 32BJ SEIU:

“New Jersey’s roaring real estate market means that employers have the resources to provide workers with living wages. Buildings that 32BJ SEIU members clean, including Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Pfizer have saved billions on 2018 taxes combined due to President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Construction projects in Essex and Hudson counties are thriving and vacancy rates at office buildings are at record lows.”

The janitors’ struggles have gained support from a plethora of elected officials and local advocacy groups, including Gov. Phil Murphy, who recently tweeted: “Standing for fairness, dignity, and justice means standing with organized labor. Proud to be with @KevinBrown32BJ and the hardworking members of @32BJSEIU as they begin commercial cleaning contract negotiations.”

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said about 2,000 members of 32BJ SEIU and their families live in the city.

“The reality is that as Jersey City grows, the owners of these companies stand to benefit, but it is imperative to us that the workers benefit as well,” Fulop said. “We encourage a fair negotiation and strongly encourage a contract that protects working families.”

East Orange Mayor Ted Green also supported the janitors’ demands for a new contract.

“I come from a long line of union members and I understand very well how important it is to fight for fair, livable wages and benefits,” Green said. “Our working families deserve that and nothing less.”

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty said the janitors “work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our office buildings clean” and they can’t be forgotten.

“These workers need to be treated fairly,” he said. “I’m proud to be here and support them.”

Other officials and groups that have declared support for the workers include state Assembly members Annette Quijano, Britnee Timberlake, Shavonda Sumter and John Gibson; Newark City Council President Mildred Crump; Jersey City Council President Rolando Lavarro; Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano; Morristown City Council Member Stefan Armington; Bergen County Freeholders Germaine Ortiz and John Sulliva;, the Working Families Alliance of New Jersey and Make the Road New Jersey.

“Janitors are demanding wages, benefits and rights on the job that meet the costs of living in New Jersey,” said Kevin Brown, 32BJ SEIU vice president and New Jersey state director.

“What employers need to understand is that we’re not stopping at $15 per hour,” Brown said. “At the bargaining table this year, janitors will demand raises and that they keep their quality, employer-paid health care. We’re going to hold employers accountable for sexual harassment and fight for stronger language in the collective bargaining agreement. This is how we fuel the working class and create long-lasting, tangible benefits that will ripple throughout our communities.”

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