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Monday, September 26, 2011

Talks 'cordial' as janitors weigh Center City strike: Update

Some 2,600 Philadelphia janitors and office-tower cleaners plan a 1 pm vote Wednesday in Dilworth Plaza next to City Hall on whether to authorize a strike that would idle janitorial crews at Liberty Place, the Commerce Center, Commerce Square and 100 more Center City buildings, according to Wayne MacManiman, regional director for Service Employees International Union Local 32-BJ.

Why strike? MacManiman cited a lack of progress on contract talks over the past three weeks in advance of the workers' Oct. 15 contract deadline. Under the current contract, wages start around $12 an hour for workers at ABM Industries Inc., Arthur Jackson Co. and Shellville Facility Services.

A separate contract covering workers in suburban Philadelphia expires later this year, said union spokesman Eugenio Villasante.

UPDATE: Statement from Building Owners Labor Relations Inc. president Robert Martin:  “We have had three meetings to date with union representatives. Meetings have been cordial; both sides have explained their positions and negotiations are underway. Another session is scheduled for October 5th and talks will continue throughout the following week.

"With regard to Wednesday’s rally by members of Local 32BJ, Mr. Martin said, “We understand and acknowledge the union’s right to rally and march. We appreciate that members have support in the community. Wednesday’s events should not affect our contract talks. We remain confident that a contract agreement can be reached, before the October 15th deadline, that is acceptable to both sides."
Posted by Joseph N. DiStefano @ 4:06 PM  Permalink | 18 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:43 PM, 09/26/2011
    $12/hour to be a janitor? Are you kidding me? Fire the whole lot of those losers.
    — ArchimedesJackson
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:10 PM, 09/26/2011
    The people united will never be defeated.
    — Fernando08
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:45 PM, 09/26/2011
    *Comcast center
    — Echo
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:53 PM, 09/26/2011
    "How does one become a janitor?"

    -John Bender
    — Handsome B. Wonderful
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:07 PM, 09/26/2011
    These people work hard, at a second shift job. The pay ($12 / hour) is reasonable, and a fair raise is warrented.
    — willll
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:28 PM, 09/26/2011
    You are lucky to have a better job, or a job at all, for giving that comment. Many can only get minimum wage, if that. They have to realize that and be thankful that they work and get paid! Stupid strike for more money when others are still searching...For anything!
    — Ben Fan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:41 PM, 09/26/2011
    I have no problem giving more money to the "good" janitors who excel at their craft.
    — Gray Areas
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:18 PM, 09/26/2011
    For what they do.. A starting salary of $15.00 is fair in a city the size of Philly. It's a tedious and dirty job with little thanks. 30k a year is not a lot of money at all. The contracting companies make oodles of cash for supplying theses workers. I'm sure that many of you " winners" out there would love to see them all fired and some other guys come from across the border and make $8 Bucks..
    Within a few years you'll sit on these same forums and shout " fire the foreigners " cause they're taking away American jobs! How dare these losers ask for $12.00??!! SMDH

    — gosixers
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:33 PM, 09/26/2011
    $12 is reasonable, I hate unions but this rate is fair.
    — ignorantphillydem
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:39 PM, 09/26/2011
    $12 is fair to low for Philly. Compare that to a toll taker on the PA Turnpike starting at $19.50 with benefits that are through the roof
    — robtpenn
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:00 PM, 09/26/2011
    @ignorant.. Why the dislike of unions?
    — DMoore6293
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:09 PM, 09/26/2011
    I'd do it for $11!
    — Gilliam
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:10 PM, 09/26/2011
    $12.00 an hour seems high for a job that has no skill requirement whatsoever. The market charges what it will bear, and you can't justify a wage that high for one job that 20 people will do for less. Watch them strike and lose all their contracts to be replaced with a new contractor.
    — CleanupPhilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:37 PM, 09/26/2011
    Cleaning up after others is a thankless job (just look at the comments above). The least they can do is give them a livable wage.
    — Timmy


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About Joseph N. DiStefano
Joseph N. DiStefano writes this blog to feed his PhillyDeals column in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Joe has been a member of Bloomberg LP’s New York Finance Team, wrote the book “Comcasted,” taught writing at St. Joseph’s University, and studied economics and history at Penn. Reach Joe at 215-854-5194 and JoeD@phillynews.com
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