SEIU Local 200U

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Workers Rights Board Hears Testimony from Janitors on Justice for Janitors Day!

ALBANY area janitors provided testimony about conditions in the building service industry at the first hearing of the Capital District Workers Rights Board on Tuesday, June 15th 2004. The hearing was held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Hearing Room C of the Legislative Office building in Albany. The Board consists of community and religious leaders, academics, and public officials who support, strengthen, and publicize the rights of working people through investigations, hearings, press conferences, meetings and other events.

ALBANY area janitors provided testimony about conditions in the building service industry at the first hearing of the Capital District Workers Rights Board on Tuesday June 15th 2004

Testimony was heard about the exploitation of workers in the industry, over-work, unfair treatment and the race to the bottom propelled by cutthroat, industry-wide competition. These workers toil after most workers go home at the end of the day and make area offices and buildings suitable for the business of the day. These unseen workers often suffer mistreatment and receive substandard wages and few benefits. Often they are subsidized with taxpayer dollars, as they are eligible for government benefits, although they work full time. "We need to bring attention to the abuses we see in this industry and stop what amounts to second class citizenship for these workers," said Kaseem Moultrie, a career janitor and Executive Board Member of the Local 200United. Testimony was also heard from janitorial staff from New Visions (formerly Albany ARC).

The Capital District Labor Religion Coalition, affiliated with National Jobs with Justice, sponsored this event and members of the Workers Rights Board will be available to hear testimony of other area workers. The hearing was held on National Justice for Janitors Day, which began in 1990 after janitors struggling for decent wages and benefits in Los Angeles were beaten while holding a peaceful demonstration.