How Daimler Trucks Stole Christmas
Daimler Trucks’ headquarters received a surprise visit this holiday season: Millennium Building Service janitors and supporters who stopped by to sing Christmas carols, modified with messages Daimler needs to hear. Instead of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” they sang, “We’ll Fight for Living Wages!” and other modified holiday classics. Despite the light-hearted approach, Millennium janitors and supporters rose serious issues and made it clear they won’t stop fighting until they win a union. Recently, Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) responded to Millennium janitors’ complaints regarding alleged retaliation for the use of protected sick time, and denial of access to protected sick time. Multiple MBS worker complaints with…
Nike Janitors Vindicated by State Agency Findings
After state enforcement action triggered by worker complaints, Millennium Building Service (MBS) appears to have had to correct some of its ways. Millennium janitors clean buildings throughout the Portland area, including buildings at Nike World Headquarters, Daimler Trucks of North America, some buildings at Portland State University, and downtown office buildings. Millennium janitors filed complaints with Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) in September alleging wage theft, underpayment of wages, and denial of legally protected sick time. BOLI already found that Millennium was not in compliance with the law protecting sick time for at least one janitor who cleans at Nike World Headquarters. Other wage and hour complaints against…
Portland janitors step up their call on building owners to practice responsible contracting
Millennium Building Service (MBS) janitors, who clean the offices of major corporations and institutions across Portland, filed complaints with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) on Wednesday, 9/20, alleging wage theft, underpayment of wages, and denial of legally-protected sick time. A group of janitors visited the BOLI offices asking for action to reclaim back wages and recognition for their rights on the job. MBS janitors clean buildings at Nike World Headquarters, Daimler Trucks’ North American Headquarters, and office buildings owned by Portland State University. As part of Raise America PDX actions, community supporters signed onto a letter asking why companies like Daimler and Nike, which received massive public…
What’s going on with Millennium Building Services?
Millennium Building Services is a commercial cleaning and maintenance company based on Portland’s Swan Island. It serves some of the biggest companies in our area – Nike, Providence Health Services, and a number of downtown skyscrapers. It seems to be doing good business, having acquired other local janitorial companies in recent years. Things aren’t so rosy for the women and men who do the cleaning for Millennium. Employees have reported: Being stuck with low or poverty wages even after years of loyalty to the company. Struggling to pay bills every month. Living in crowded housing with other families because they can’t afford to pay rent on their own. Being unable…
Properties in the Spotlight: Daimler Headquarters
Daimler Trucks of North America unveiled its new headquarters in Portland in 2016. This sleek, state-of-the-art, LEED Platinum certified building was constructed with up to $20 million in incentives from city and state agencies. As part of that incentive package, Daimler promised to create good jobs for its employees. If Daimler chooses to contract out to another company, however, those workers are excluded from this good jobs agreement. And when Daimler chose Millennium Building Services to clean the new building, it brought in a largely low-wage, immigrant workforce that might not define their employment as “good jobs.” Workers have reported low wages even after years of loyalty to the company…
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