Thursday, May 17, 2012

San Diego Janitors To Hold 12-Hour Vigil at Civic Center Plaza;
Hunger Fast Participants Prepare To End Fast At Protest Action at UTC in La Jolla on Friday


San Diego, CA - San Diego area janitors will hold a 12-hour vigil with community and religious leaders at Civic Center Plaza, joining hunger fast participants fighting for health care for themselves and their families.  Throughout the day, community volunteers will be visiting hunger fasters at their base camp at the Church of the Brethren in San Diego, where volunteers are working hard making preparations for Friday’s march and rally at La Jolla’s UTC.

“I am a janitor and a mother.  I work hard every day so that I may provide my young children with everything they need to stay in school and go to college – something I am unable to do,” said Magdalena Figueroa, a janitor at Ximed and Hunger Fast participant.  “It is because of them that I have decided to fast.  Both of my daughters dream of going to college.  And so I will do what I have to to make sure they achieve that.”

USWW janitors have been negotiating a new contract for a modest wage increase and health benefits.  After weeks of negotiations, however, building contractors have proposed across-the-board cuts to janitors’ wages for the next 4 years, and have remained steadfast in their decision not to include health care for most janitors.  Those with some coverage will be asked to pay a monthly co-payment.

In 2012, 30,000 of USWW’s 40,000 members’ collective bargaining contracts expire, including the 1,800 office, tech and biotech janitors from San Diego and Inland Empire counties which are set to expire on May 30th.

WHO:
SEIU USWW Janitors, Hunger Fasters, Community & Religious Leaders, including local city leaders

WHAT:                 
12-Hour Vigil and Preparations for Friday’s major action at La Jolla’s UTC area.

WHERE:                
9AM – 4PM - Media are invited to visit hunger fasters at: Church of the Brethren, 3850 Westgate Place, San Diego,  92105.
5PM – 12AM | 12-Hour Vigil at SD Civic Center Plaza.

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