Following two months of mass demonstrations, civil disobedience, sit-ins, rallies, 70 arrests, and marches, Houston Janitors have won a huge victory against the bosses.

Janitors in Houston are amongst the poorest paid in the country, earning much less than Janitors in other comparable cities.

They have been without a contract since May 31st, but this week a new contract was agreed and signed. They have won a 12% pay rise – double what the bosses offered. Also, they have managed to keep their benefits and healthcare that the bosses intended on taking away.

The Janitors have only been unionised since 2006, when they staged a month long strike for recognition. They won recognition, a 50% pay rise, benefits, and access to affordable healthcare.

On the victory, one of the Janitors has said that:



“Today we proved that when workers join together, we have strength. This is a huge victory for janitors and so many workers. With this new contract, our families can live a little better.” Quote:

Similar to Houston, Janitors in San Francisco have also been offered a derisory pay rise to work for some of the richest people and businesses in the world. And as in Houston, they are not accepting it, and are preparing for a fight. They have started a campaign of civil disobedience, and are preparing for a strike.

Solidarity