Janitors at the University of Miami are preparing to strike after voting to demand higher wages during ongoing contract negotiations with ABM, the company that employs them.
On Monday, 364 of the 516 members of SEIU Local 32BJ authorized a strike against ABM, which contracts with the university to provide cleaning and custodial services. The union represents janitors, groundskeepers and other custodial staff who clean classrooms, dorms and medical facilities.
Workers say current wages are not enough to cover basic expenses
Union leaders say workers currently earn about $15 per hour and that ABM’s proposal of a 50-cent hourly raise per year is not enough to keep up with rising costs.
Shares Lefevre, a janitor at UM for 10 years, said low wages make it nearly impossible to cover living expenses while also trying to send money to family in Haiti.
“If it wasn’t for us, trash would be piling up because there would be no one to pick that up, so that is our job so if we do our job pay us well,” Lefevre said.
ABM responded in a statement saying it values employees’ contributions and is negotiating “in good faith” to reach a fair agreement.
“We deeply value the dedication and hard work our team members demonstrate every day in maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy learning environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We are currently negotiating in good faith with SEIU to reach an agreement that is fair to both our team members and our client. We remain hopeful that we will soon find common ground and a shared path forward,” read the full statement.
The University of Miami said the custodial staff are ABM employees, not UM employees, but expressed hope that both sides will reach an amicable deal.
“The University of Miami contracts with ABM Industries to maintain campus grounds and buildings. The groundskeepers and custodial staff are employees of ABM Industries and not the University. ABM Industries is currently in contract negotiations with the employee’s union, Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ. The University appreciates its long-term relationship with both ABM and SEIU and is hopeful the two sides reach an amicable agreement,” UM responded in a statement.
Union leaders recall past strikes as deadline looms
Helene O’Brien, SEIU 32BJ vice president, noted that some of the same workers went on strike in 2006, including a 17-day hunger strike, to establish the union. She said negotiations are set to resume Thursday, with the current contract expiring Aug. 31. If no agreement is reached, workers plan to walk out the following week.
