How you cansupport the janitors
by repost from the janitors Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 at 9:15 AM

We have learned over the years that in today's world, it takes the whole community of people of conscience standing together to win our rights and respect from these rich corporations. There are many ways you can help this weekend and in the coming weeks!

Dear Allies and Activists in Houston,

As you may have heard, the bargaining for the janitors broke down this week so a strike is inevitable. This is unfortunate because no one wants to strike, but when all other options have failed, there is no other choice.

Janitors have been winning livable wages and health care now for years across the country in many major cities. Now it's Houston's time and there is no question that this is an historic fight and the best chance low wage service workers in Texas have to win a union contract.

We have learned over the years that in today's world, it takes the whole community of people of conscience standing together to win our rights and respect from these rich corporations. There are many ways you can help this weekend and in the coming weeks!

a.. If you have anytime this Sunday - we need help stapling picket signs, making banners, leafleting events at the Union Hall at 4299 San Felipe, Suite 200. If you know how to make big puppets, we'd love to have your help!

a.. We are setting up a Food Bank in order to provide striking janitors at least one bag of food a week. You can help set up a collection site or bring food to the office. Once our sites are set up we will let you know where food can be donated.

a.. Join us on for a picket line any day this week at 4:30 at 1100 Louisiana Ave.

a.. March on Saturday, October 28th. We will be assembling in Grady Park in the Galleria area. It is on the corner of San Felipe and Yorktown, a few blocks west from the 610 exit onto San Felipe. Our permit has been denied but we are marching anyway even if it is on the sidewalks.

a.. Mobilize - send information out to your families, friends, organizational allies, local listserves about the strike and the march on Saturday!

a.. If you work in a big commercial office building downtown, you can contact your property manager and let them know you think the janitors should be treated fairly and that the contractors should settle this dispute with a fair union contract. Janitors are fighting for $8.50 an hour, 30 hours a week and health insurance. All of this implemented over the course of a three year contract. In a few days we will have an email set up - tenants@houstonjanitors.org

a.. Donate to the strike fund. Contributions can be sent to Local 5, 4299 San Felipe, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77027. Checks can be made out to Local 5, with Strike Fund in the memo.

a.. We are looking for people who might be able to help us our with some specific visibility activities. If you are interested in bannering, postering, leafleting etc. Call Lisa at 213-840-1972. It is possible at that some point that we may need to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience. We will be doing a civil disobedience training next Sunday, at 4:00 at the Union Hall. Please let us know if you can attend.

We appreciate your support. Strikes are always difficult, but with your help and support, we may just win Justice for Janitors in Houston!

Gracias,

Karen Klipowicz

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