Energy filled the room as janitors with the SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, agreed to give their bargaining committee the power to call for a strike. It's a decision that could mean some 1,200 janitors leaving office buildings around the Tri-state to clean up after themselves. Since negotiations began in March, people in the community have also stepped forward to show their support of the janitors.
Included is Pastor Gregory Chandler. "I'm encouraged that they mean what they say, and I believe they are going to stand together," Chandler said. "And we're going to stand with them."
Janitors say living off as little as $26 a day is difficult, especially when they don't get healthcare.
"I'm a diabetic and sometimes I have to worry about paying my rent or buying my medication," Linda Watson, a janitor with the S.E.I.U. explains. "That shouldn't happen if I get out there and work every day."
Saturday's vote doesn't mean a strike is definite, it simply gives the union's bargaining committee one more option during negotiations. At this point, another round of talks are still scheduled for the end of July.
WCPO called the eight companies with whom the union says it is negotiating. None were available on the weekend.
(wcpo.com)
