Vol. 74/No. 35      September 20, 2010

The three-year agreement includes a 7.5 percent wage increase, improves benefits, including sick days and holidays, and increases employer contributions to the health-care fund up to 23 percent.

The workers will get three weeks’ vacation after eight years on the job instead of 10, gain Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an additional paid holiday, and receive four personal days, up from three.

The workers won a strengthening of seniority rights so they can bid on jobs, change shifts, and get higher classification jobs.

On August 21 the Service Employees International Union 32BJ, which represents the workers, held a rally after which the unionists unanimously voted to authorize a strike if UNICCO maintained its position of freezing wages, health care, and other benefits.

In the spring of 2006, cleaners at the University of Miami held a nine-week strike that included marches, sit-ins, and a hunger strike.

The walkout received national attention because the president of the university is Donna Shalala, former secretary of health and human services under the William Clinton administration. She was widely criticized by workers at the time for not responding to their demands.

The 2006 strike won union recognition and led to a contract that increased wages and provided health care and other benefits. It gained wide support among students, faculty, and other workers in the area.

At the August 21 rally speeches were translated into English, Creole, and Spanish. Josette, a worker at the Fort Lauderdale airport, said, “Our bosses are like animals that suck blood. If we unite stronger we will be victorious.”

Students have been among the strongest backers of the workers’ struggle at the university. Many were active in supporting the organizing drive in 2006. Stephanie Sandhu, a member of Students Toward a New Democracy, spoke at the August 21 rally. “We will not let the university push you back to save a few pennies,” she said.

Deborah Liatos is the Socialist Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate from Florida.
 
 
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