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Volume 72, Issue 65,
Monday, November 20, 2006
News Protests make way to UH Janitors, activists request increased pay, health benefits, shorter hours by Marilu Rodriguez
Students and janitors passed out flyers and asked passers-by to sign a petition supporting increased pay and health benefits for custodial workers at the University Center Satellite Friday. "I do a dirty job at the snap of my boss' fingers, but all I want is to work decent hours, get paid efficiently and receive health care to take care of my four children. But most of all, I want respect," Houston janitor Maria Garcia said. Students walking by were offered purple ribbons, pins and flyers headlined "What is your responsibility to the janitors on strike?" at the event organized by communication junior Ana Cazares. "We just want to bring awareness to students and inform them on the details of the situation so that maybe with enough knowledge they can speak out for these janitors," she said. Cazares, a member of the Women's Resource Center that was affiliated with the event, is one of many speaking out in favor of increase pay and health benefits for janitors. "On average, janitors are paid $5 an hour and are not eligible for any health care benefits. "This is not a new situation. These janitors have been fighting this fight for almost two years, but now there are enough voices to put up a strong battle," Cazares said. Sophomore Cassie Garza, a WRC member, said 98 to 99 percent of all janitors are women. "After learning that I knew I really had the will to be involved," Garza said. Among the janitorial volunteers Friday were three female janitors: Garcia, Maria Rodriguez and Araceli Lino. They are employees for the One Houston Center in Downtown. This company is one of the five major companies facing the strike. "Since we are on strike, we are not getting paid, but by protesting, the (Service Employees International Union) is paying us $100 a week, which is not the ideal pay, but for the time being we can hold our heads up high," Rodriguez said. Sociology graduate student Mike Espinoza also spoke at the event and was one of 14 protestors arrested at a Nov. 2 protest for blocking an intersection outside the Galleria. "My intention was not to inconvenience traffic or busy people but to make individuals stop and think for a minute. "Being late to an appointment is a minor inconvenience compared to the inconveniences janitors face," he said. The five companies facing protest are ABM Janitorial Services, Sanitors Services of Texas, OneSource Facility Services, GCA Services Group and Pritchard Industries Southwest. In another protest, two protestors disguised themselves as luncheon guests and interrupted John Hofmeister's Nov. 2 speech upon receiving the 2006 International Executive of the Year Award from the Greater Houston Partnership and Kiwanis International. The Houston Chronicle reported that one protester shouted out, "You spend more money on lunch than they earn all year." "It would be well for SEIU to realize who their friends are before they exercise their right to free speech," Jeff Moseley, president and CEO of The Greater Houston Partnership, said. "No leader is more understanding in the business community than John Hofmeister ... There are people in the business community who are willing to listen." A public relations representative for One Source said the company had no comment on the strikes. Further comment from the other four companies under protest was unavailable during weekend hours. Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu |
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