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Issue No. 334 | 24 November 2006 |
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It�s Who The Economy Works For, Stupid
Interview: Common Ground Industrial: A Low Act Unions: The Number of the Least Politics: The Smoking Gun Economics: Microcredit, Compulsory Superannuation and Inequality Environment: Low Voltage History: The Art of Social Justice Review: Work�s Unhealthy Appetite Culture: A Forgotten Poet
The Soapbox Parliament
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News Houston Win Sparks Hope for New Era
The contract will lift hundreds of cleaners out of poverty, more than doubling their income within 24 months and guaranteeing secure affordable health care. Houston is the second major victory for cleaners in less than a year, and is being seen as a major breakthrough in the South and for low-wage workers around the country. Workers, community, elected and religious leaders will join SEIU to hold a "Convention for the Future" to map out a plan to unite the approximately 1,700 workers who are not included in the recognition agreement and to build an anti-poverty campaign to take on low-wage jobs in early December. The convention will draw upon the strong coalition of faith, political and community leaders that stood with thje Houston cleaners during the strike. "This is an incredible victory for our families and for all families," said 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, what must be done to make America a better place," The agreement provides Houston cleaners 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. The increase in wages and health insurance will dramatically improve the lives of 5,300 of Houston's janitors, most of whom had been earning as little as $20 a day without benefits. The increase in wages and hours will lift many families out of poverty, and provide janitors and their families with a steppingstone into the middle class while the health insurance will ensure workers have access to affordable health care. "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 Cuban and Haitian 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.
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