After three years of struggle, ServiceMaster janitors win first contract

ServiceMaster janitors at a one-day strike in February 2007

Janitors who clean downtown buildings and the Rose Quarter for ServiceMaster of Swan Island have been organizing for three years to form a union with SEIU Local 49.

This summer, they finally won their first union contract. Downtown ServiceMaster janitors won wage increases of $.30 on July 1st. Janitors who clean the Rose Quarter won $.30 wage increases effective September 1st. All janitors will also get regular step increases to reward their time and experience with the company.

Janitors also won a voice and respect on the job, job security, and a fair process for requesting full-time work and building transfers, which will be assigned according to seniority. Health benefits will be phased in gradually — the majority of downtown janitors will be eligible for the union health care plan in May 2011. The union plan includes free health care for employes with the option to include their children for $40 a month.

The janitors' four-year campaign for a union contract included countless marches, rallies, and picket lines; three strikes, and the settlement of a class-action lawsuit for almost $84,000 in back wages to ServiceMaster employees.

Many local community and religious leaders and elected officials supported the ServiceMaster janitors, including Portland mayor-elect Sam Adams. “I was here two years ago supporting ServiceMaster janitors in their campaign for justice,” said Adams at a Justice for Janitors Day Rally June 13, “and I am thrilled to announce that ServiceMaster janitors are about to sign their first contract. This is a Justice for Janitors Day with much to celebrate. But we also need to keep working to attain justice for all workers and their families."