FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 10, 2007

32BJ APPLAUDS WAGE BILL’S PASSAGE

New Prevailing Wage Bill Would Help Property Service Workers Support Their Families

Philadelphia, PA – 32BJ praised City Council Members today for helping to pass a bill that ensures prevailing wages and benefits to building service workers and security officers at certain future high-end developments. At-Large City Council Member Jim Kenney introduced the bill on April 12 along with co-sponsors Bill Greenlee, Blondell Reynolds Brown, and Juan Ramos.
 
“Our city leaders cast an important vote today to help make a meaningful improvement to the lives of Philadelphia’s working families” said Wayne MacManiman, 32BJ Philadelphia District Supervisor. “The bill will strengthen our workforce, benefiting businesses and our communities alike.”
 
Among the workers who would benefit from the legislation are building service employees such as guards and cleaners working in commercial office buildings of at least 25,000 square feet or residential buildings of at least 25 dwelling units.
 
On April 25, Deborah Jackson-Smith, a former Philadelphia janitor, testified before the City Council’s Committee on Labor and Civil Service that the prevailing wage bill could help janitors and other property service workers support their families. “A prevailing wage law like this will make a big difference for many of us who are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of health care and housing in this city,” said Jackson-Smith. “Everybody who works hard deserves to make a decent wage.”
 
“Economic development in Philadelphia must go hand-in-hand with good business practices that create good jobs that pay good wages,” said the bill's sponsor, Councilman Jim Kenney. “Let’s sign this bill into law now.”
 
32BJ has been working cooperatively with employers in Philadelphia and the suburbs to improve working standards for property service workers and enhance the quality of service at these buildings. Workers who are trying to form a union are seeking not only better wages and access to affordable health care, but also respect and a voice at work
 
With more than 85,000 members in six states, including 5,000 in Philadelphia, 32BJ is the largest property service workers union in the country.

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