Janitors End Strike and Return to Work

One week after walking off the job at more than a dozen bay area high tech and academic sites, janitors represented by SEIU are going back to work. They went on strike over cost of living increases, health care and insurance, and other benefits. At SEIU offices in San Jose, janitors gathered to hear a presentation from the Bargaining Committee and learn the terms of the proposed contract. They voted to go back to work, accepting the compromise deal by a margin of 2 to 1, although there were many in the group who questioned the process (not everyone was there to vote), the terms (far from what they were striking for), and the role of the negotiators (more than a few janitors wondered aloud what the union leadership got out of the compromise).

Others were ready to go back to work after a week without pay. Just about all the janitors left the office with worry on their faces. But SEIU provided a bag of groceries for families who've missed a check this month. For some it looked like welcome assistance, for others like another concession.

Audio in Spanish to be posted tomorrow, and broadcast on Freak Radio Santa Cruz (http://www.freakradio.org) along with an interview with participants from the Wednesday action at Chevron's shareholders meeting.