Houston janitors vote to authorize strike for higher wages, benefits

HOUSTON – Several hundred union janitors represented by SEIU Texas in Houston have authorized the bargaining committee to call a strike on the condition that their demands are addressed by the end of the month. The workers are demanding an increase from their current $11.75 hourly wage, which they say is insufficient to support and raise a family.

“I work two jobs to provide a better life for my family, but it’s difficult when I make less than $14 an hour. It’s not enough to cover food, rent and our bills,” said Maria Sop-Poz. “I will do whatever it takes to have just one full-time job that can support my family and give me time to spend with them,” she continued.

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About two-thirds of Houston’s union janitors earn about $47 per night part-time. Without access to employer-sponsored health care, many employees must juggle additional jobs to maintain their livelihoods. In a show of solidarity and protest, the janitors were joined by local lawmakers in a march drawing attention to their conditions.

Dora Alvarado, a janitor, highlighted the dire financial challenges they face: “We need Houstonians to know that what we are being paid is a pittance. We urgently need a pay raise .”

Congressman Al Green, representing Texas’ 9th District, supported the janitors’ view of the living wage. “If you make $11.75 an hour, you make less than $1,000 a month. A family can’t live on $11.75 an hour.”

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Elsa Flores, president of the SEIU, highlighted the determination of the janitors: “If workers don’t see a difference in their wages, if they don’t see more hours, they are ready to do whatever it takes to let this happen.

Janitors in other cities, who work for the same cleaning contractors in buildings owned by the same owners, earn more than janitors in Houston.

Janitors’ ambitions include landing full-time jobs with benefits and a path to a $15 hourly wage. As the May 31 contract expiration date for about 3,000 janitors approaches, a strike vote has been called, echoing past strikes in 2006 and 2012.