We're working together for a better economy, good jobs, and healthy, safe buildings.

  • Our Campaign
  • News
    • ABM
    • Daimler
    • Expresso
    • Millennium Building Services
    • National Maintenance Contractors
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    • Standard Insurance Center
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    • Umpqua Bank Plaza
    • Unico
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  • For Janitors / Para Janitors
  • Our Campaign
  • News
    • ABM
    • Daimler
    • Expresso
    • Millennium Building Services
    • National Maintenance Contractors
    • SBM
    • Shorenstein Realty Services
    • Standard Insurance Center
    • TMT
    • Umpqua Bank Plaza
    • Unico
    • US Security Associates
  • For Janitors / Para Janitors
  • ABM,  Millennium Building Services,  News,  SBM,  Shorenstein Realty Services,  Standard Insurance Center,  Unico

    The good, the bad, and the ugly: how CRE decisionmakers are standing up to COVID-19 – or not

    April 8, 2020 /

    Shorenstein Realty Services, Unico Properties, Nike, and Intel are stepping up to ensure that the essential workers who clean their properties—janitors—are able to support their families during this crisis and are helping to mitigate the health risks and financial impacts of COVID-19 by investing in responsible union janitorial contractors.

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  • Millennium Building Services,  News,  Standard Insurance Center

    Standard Insurance tenants report a drop in quality after switch to Millennium

    February 25, 2020 /

    Several months after switching to Millennium Building Services for its night shift janitorial services, a recent tenant survey at Standard Insurance Tower and Plaza found that 60% of respondents feel that the night janitorial quality had gone down under the new contractor. 

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  • Millennium Building Services,  News,  Standard Insurance Center

    The Standard comes under nationwide scrutiny for driving down standards

    November 18, 2019 /

    Standard Insurance came under nationwide scrutiny as low wage workers and their allies raised concerns about Standard’s contracting practices.  In Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver and Seattle, janitors delivered letters to Standard insurance offices, calling on the company to do right by the people who clean their buildings. As one more example of the powerful #JusticeForJanitors campaign, the delegations all requested that The Standard reverse course and choose from one of the many Responsible Contractors that operate in the Portland market.

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  • Millennium Building Services,  News,  Standard Insurance Center

    Taking a Stand at Standard Insurance

    September 3, 2019 /

    For over 20 years, Standard Insurance Center and Standard Plaza have invested in a responsible union janitorial company to keeps their offices clean. Janitors in the buildings had good jobs, earned fair wages and had access to affordable healthcare. In July, Standard made the decision to switch to Millennium Building Services, a non-union contractor marked “Red,” the lowest possible rating, on ResponsibleContractorGuide.net. Millennium workers have been speaking out about working conditions since 2017. Workers report extreme exploitation, unfair wages and unaffordable health insurance. Millennium is known for using a subcontractor model, where they may further subcontract janitorial services to dubious “independent contractors” — sometimes without the knowledge of the building managers.

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  • Millennium Building Services,  News,  Unico

    Janitors to Unico and Montgomery Park: “Do the Right Thing!”

    May 1, 2019 /

    Unico Faces Call to Create Good Jobs at Newly-purchased Montgomery Park Unico Properties grabbed headlines in April after purchasing the iconic Montgomery Park, Portland’s second largest office building. The property manager and owner drew attention last year after choosing a non-union contractor, Millennium Building Services, to clean their buildings The Lovejoy and Machineworks.  Now janitors are speaking out again to make sure tenants and visitors to Montgomery Park know about the irresponsible practices Millennium, the janitorial contractor at Montgomery Park, has engaged in.

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Recent Posts

  • Six ABM Janitors Celebrate Graduating the Green Janitor Education Program May 11, 2022
  • Investing in our workplaces…and our communities July 11, 2021
  • Portland-area janitors are taking action to win good jobs and urge decision-makers to hire responsible contractors June 21, 2021
  • Janitors call on Harrison Square Owners to Build Back Better  June 20, 2021
  • Portland Janitors and Security Officers Win Guaranteed Job-Quality Standards in Broadway Corridor Development September 23, 2020

Our Campaign

As the national movement for good jobs and fair wages swells, janitors, security officers, and airport workers from across the country are standing up to raise standards and improve jobs for all workers in our communities.

Locally in Portland and SW Washington, janitors, security officers, and airport workers have joined together to raise standards, improve jobs, and highlight the issues associated with irresponsible janitorial and security contractors such as high-turnover, low pay, lack of dependability, lack of affordable healthcare, and all-around lower standards.

By using responsible contractors in their market, building owners and other clients of subcontractors can take steps to ensure that subcontracted workers hold safe, good jobs and are treated with respect. Responsible contracting reduces the risk of labor disruption and lowers turnover—thereby increasing efficiency and workplace stability—by providing fair wages and benefits that workers deserve.

#RaiseAmericaPDX

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