Unionized janitors and others rally in Philadelphia ahead of contract expiration

With a contract for unionized janitors set to expire in days, organized labor rallied Wednesday in Philadelphia City Hall.  

Members of the Communications Workers of America and the Service Employees International Union were part of an impromptu hearing attended by a half-dozen members of Philadelphia City Council.   John Krol is a member of the janitors union who has already received a layoff notice.

“I went to my daughter’s back to school night, when we were done, I had asked my daughter if she would like to go get something to eat, my daughter she said to me ‘Daddy do you have the money?’  My whole family is affected by this wondering if I am going to be employed,” said Krol.

The contract for the Philadelphia local of the janitors union is set to expire Sunday–the first of many across the country.  Members are bargaining mostly with privately owned office buildings.

Mike Davis of the Communications Workers of America says it’s time big companies thought about their workers instead of using freelance contractors.

“That’s why you saw us on the street for two weeks, we’re not putting up with it,” said Davis.

City Council members signed a resolution vowing to do what they can to help keep the union members employed.