Clergy and Faith Leaders Stand with the Janitors of SEIU 32BJ!

Today, clergy from around Boston stood with janitors and members of SEIU 32BJ in their commitment to strike if they cannot secure a fair contract. They are fighting for more full time jobs and medical insurance, as well as family health care coverage. The janitors’ current contract expires this Friday at midnight; a vote authorizing a strike if the contract is not secured by that point took place this past Saturday. A strike would affect 13,000 janitors who clean 2,000 buildings, including large buildings such as the John Hancock and the Prudential Tower, as well as a number of colleges in Boston.[1] Janitors employed by the MBTA have already seen their hours reduced (and their benefits subsequently lost) while their work load stays the same, putting enormous strain on these workers.

At today’s interfaith press event, a number of clergy spoke about the moral importance of standing with workers and signed onto a collective faith statement. They proclaim:

“We all have a stake in reversing this trend [of companies making huge profits at the expense of workers], and we could not have a bigger opportunity to do so than by supporting 15,000 of New England’s janitors as they reach for a better quality of life. As faith leaders we call on the business community to honor these workers whom they rely on with a contract that truly includes them in the economic recovery with living wages and real benefits like affordable health coverage. We are committed to standing with our hard-working janitors to ensure this outcome, for the good of their families and our communities as a whole.”

The Labor Guild stands with the janitors of SEIU 32BJ and the clergy who support them. We will be following what happens over the next few days and stand in solidarity with these workers as they fight for justice!

Father Flavin reads the Statement of Faith

Labor Guild board member Khalida Smalls– District Coordinator for Strategic Partnerships, SEIU 32BJ-District 615– holds the statement of faith written by clergy standing in solidarity with janitors of SEIU 32BJ

Clergy stand with the janitors and members of SEIU 32BJ

[1] https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/09/24/janitors-vote-saturday-authorizing-strike/4Hr6nNqde1ef2zfrbo0xgP/story.html