FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2007
32BJ BACKS CITY COUNCIL PREVAILING WAGE BILL
New Bill Protects Wages for Building Service Workers
Philadelphia, PA – In a collaboration to fight poverty in Philadelphia, At-Large City Council Members today announced legislation they will introduce on Thursday that would ensure that prevailing wages and benefits are paid to building service workers and security officers at future high-end developments made possible through city loans, grants, and financing.
“Building service workers at commercial and residential properties that benefit from city financial assistance should be paid prevailing wages,” said the bill's sponsor, Councilman Jim Kenney. “By requiring fair wages, we are ensuring a sustained and improved quality of life for our residents and communities.”
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 would help janitors support their families.
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.
“Requiring the multi-million-dollar real estate industry to create good jobs that help workers support a family, will put taxpayer dollars to work for the entire Philadelphia community,” said the bill’s co-sponsor, Councilman Bill Greenlee.”
SEIU 32BJ members stood alongside the elected officials to express their support for the bill’s passage.
“I commend our city leaders for working with us to make wage security a high priority and encourage them to help this become a reality for Philadelphians” said Wayne MacManiman, SEIU 32BJ Philadelphia District Supervisor.
“This bill is a win-win-win collaboration for the hard-working building services workers who are struggling to get by, for businesses that depend on a stable, quality service oriented workforce and the city which needs to address a staggering poverty rate.”
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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