Solidarity with Michigan labor struggles

Fired janitors demand justice

Dozens of Service Employees Local 1 members and their allies marched to the historic 27-story Buhl Building in downtown Detroit Sept. 30 to demand that 12 fired workers be reinstated immediately.

On June 12 experienced janitors, some with as many as 30 years’ seniority, were let go with only two weeks’ notice. Sterling Cleaning Services Inc., the new contractor, is paying non-union replacements poverty wages without access to affordable health insurance.

Despite numerous protests, a petition campaign and the fact that many of the building’s tenants—offices, shops, restaurants and a barber—want the union workers back, the Buhl owners refuse to budge.

“This is wrong. The tenants love us. We weren’t expecting nothing like this. When they kicked us out, that hit us really hard. It’s not right. It’s unjust and inhumane to kick us out,” said Keith Cullens of Local 1 who worked at the Buhl Building for eight years.

Local 1 is asking supporters to call Peter Conkey, head of Buhl owners’ HDC Partners, and tell him that you want the union janitors back now and you won’t stand for union busting. Call 312-621-5204.

There will be a rally at HDC Partners’ headquarters at 333 W. Wacker Dr. in Chicago on Oct. 9 at 4:30 p.m. to protest the firing of the Local 1 workers at the Buhl Building. A delegation from Detroit will attend this protest. For more information, call SEIU Local 1 in Detroit at 313-742-0184.

Locked out workers need support

About 70 members of United Steelworkers Local 128934-02 in Bay City, Mich., are picketing a Carquest distribution center after being locked out by the company. Many of the locked out workers are long-term employees.

The company refused to agree to a further extension to contract talks after an initial extension was up at midnight Sept. 24. The contract with parent General Parts International Inc. expired Sept. 1. The union proposed extending the negotiations until Oct. 30 but the company locked them out instead on Sept. 25, when company representatives told the Steelworkers to leave the premises.

On Sept. 28, union members attempted to block six tractor-trailer trucks from leaving the distribution center but were dispersed by state police from the Bay City Post and Motor Carrier division, and Bay City police and sheriff’s deputies. With the help of the police, the company is now bringing in scabs from “temporary service agencies.”

But the union and their allies continue to picket and are appealing for help. Supporters can join them at 508 McGraw St. in Bay City from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Supporters coming to the picket line are encouraged to bring solidarity picket signs and provisions such as water, coffee, snacks, etc.

Support messages can be called into the union hall at 989-667-0660 or e-mailed to the local’s president, Dan Nadolski, at [email protected]. Supporters can also call Carquest’s customer care line to demand the company bargain in good faith with the Steelworkers: 1-877-735-2233. Or call the Bay City Carquest at 989-686-3114.