HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06062000 - SD4 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Mark DeSaulnler '�` +�' Contra
i`}. Costs
DATE: June 6, 2000 County
SUBJECT: Justice for Janitors Living Wage Campaign
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATIONS)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
ADOPT a position of support for the current campaign of Justice for Janitors to provide a living
wage for working families in Contra Costa County and
DIRECT that this action of the Board of Supervisors be disseminated throughout the business
community of Contra Costa County.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT:—/—YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
I NAT rRE :
ACTION OF BOARD ONS �c1 G' C APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
_UNANIMOUS(ABSENT-; ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES;-', ;'r" NOES: AND ENTERED ON HE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISOR N THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED
L BATCHELOR, LERK OF THE BOARD OF
PERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Contact:
cc:
BY ,DEPUTY
BACKGROUND:
On May 31, 2000, the Service Employees International Union(SEIU)Local 1877 master
janitorial contract expired. This contract covered over 5,000 Bay Area janitors that clean hi-tech
and other commercial office buildings. Since negotiations began in mid-March,janitorial
contractors have made proposals for only a 30-cent-an-hour raise over the next five years.
Under the expired contract,janitors made $8.00 an hour, which places them at the federal poverty
level. Over the next five years,the proposed increase would not allow janitors to maintain at the
poverty level, let alone rise above it. SEIU is seeking a three-year contract at a living wage, one
significantly higher than the anticipated rate of inflation., to lift Bay Area janitors out of poverty.
Hard working members of our communities should benefit from the current period of economic
prosperity, as they contribute significantly to it. As well, when janitors earn a living wage they
participate fully in the local economy and require and will not need public financial or other
support, which benefits the entire Bay Area.
Therefore, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors stands with the janitors and their
families as they seek full and fair payment for their services.