HOUSTON--On the heels of a string of victories in Miami, Los Angeles and Boston that have resulted in dramatic gains for workers and their families, more than 5,300 janitors in Houston won higher wages, more hours, and health insurance in their first city-wide union contract. The contract will lift hundreds of janitors out of poverty, more than doubling their income within 24 months and guaranteeing secure affordable health care. Houston is the second major victory for janitors in less than a year, and is being seen as a major breakthrough in the South and for low-wage workers around the country.
"This is an incredible victory for our families and for all families," said janitor Ercilia Sandoval. "When I go back to work, I will go back proud of what we have accomplished, not just for us and our families, but for all of the workers in this city who work very hard but are paid very little. We showed what can be done"
The agreement provides Houston janitors with victories on four key fronts:
* Higher Wages. Janitors will see their wages rise by 126 percent over the course of the contract-with an immediate 21% increase on January 1. Janitors pay will increase to $6.25 an hour on January 1, 2007, $7.25 an hour on January 1, 2008, and $7.75 by January 1, 2009.
* More Hours. The new contract will increase work hours for janitors currently provided with only 4 hours of work a night to six hours a shift in two years. The additional hours and the wage increase mean that janitors who make $5.15 an hour will see their income more than double by the end of 2008.
* Quality, Affordable Health Insurance. At a time when many employers are shifting health care costs on to workers, Houston janitors won individual health insurance at a cost of only $20 per month. Family insurance will also be available for a cost of $175 a month. The health insurance will become available starting January 1, 2009.
* Paid Holidays and Vacation Time. The contract will allow workers-many for the first time in their lives-paid time off from work. Janitors will receive six paid holidays per year and be able to accrue paid vacation time beginning the first year of the contract.
"Houston janitors have shown that organized labor still has the power to inspire and improve the lives of workers. When ably led workers unite, they can win major improvements," said Julius Getman, a professor at the University of Texas Law School. "If low-wage janitors in Houston can win a victory of this magnitude, the message to workers throughout the South should be clear-in solidarity lies strength."
In the last month alone, more than 10,000 workers of all races in every corner of the country-including the South-have risked their jobs to win a voice at work by voting to form a union. And tens of millions are demanding a change in direction by voting to realign the country politically.
* 5,000 security officers in Los Angeles--70% of whom are African Americans-made a major breakthrough Wednesday, securing their civil right to freely form a union with SEIU;
* 250 security officers who protect the Harvard campus won their right Wednesday to have a voice at work by organizing a union with SEIU;
* Nearly 500 migrant janitors at two South Florida universities, Nova Southeastern and Florida International, won a voice on the job last month;
* Nearly 4,000 nurses, technicians, professionals, and other hospital workers of all different ethnicities at six Florida hospitals voted to form a union with SEIU just since October 10.
Last fall, 5,300 Houston janitors made the historic choice to form a union with SEIU (Service Employees International Union). Their decision capped one of the largest successful organizing drives by private sector workers ever in the Southern half of the United States. Since forming a union with SEIU.
Nationwide, more than 225,000 janitors in 29 cities are members of SEIU.
