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
    • SBM
    • Shorenstein Realty Services
    • Standard Insurance Center
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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
Link 1
Responsible Contracting Guide
Link 2
Report: Cleaning Up Oregons Janitorial Industry
Link 3
SEIU Local 49, the Janitors Union
  • News

    Settlement of SEIU 49 (Plaintiff) Lawsuit against Expresso Building Services (Defendant)

    July 10, 2020 /

    As of January 1, 2018, all janitorial employers in the State of Oregon were required to obtain a license to provide janitorial services. Oregon janitors in SEIU Local 49 filed a lawsuit in September 2019 against Expresso Building Services for failure to obtain a license as a janitorial employer. SEIU alleged that Expresso continued to operate as an unlicensed janitorial contractor in Oregon for nearly 18 months, only applying after receiving an inquiry from state investigators who were following up on an anonymous complaint.

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  • News

    Your office is re-opening, do your tenants feel safe? Responsible Union Contracting can help.

    June 16, 2020 /

    As tenants question returning to the office, your choice in a janitorial vendor can have a big impact. Say good-bye to the shared candy bowl and ping pong table with shared paddles. Beyond office redesign many tenants first question is about janitorial service. As tenants mull over scope and frequency of cleaning, another thing to keep in mind is the benefits that your janitor may or may not have.

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  • News,  Union Difference

    Union janitors win protections and benefits, call on Standard Insurance to step up

    June 16, 2020 /

    In the midst of a pandemic, Portland-area Union janitors and their supporters are calling on Standard Insurance to invest in frontline workers. While improvements and protections for union janitors and tenants improve, circumstances get worse for non-union janitors. Union janitors win a contract extension that addresses concerns during this pandemic that includes a wage increase, expanded paid sick leave and COVID protections. Meaning building owners and tenants who use Union companies can feel proud of the protections for frontline workers cleaning their facilities.

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  • News

    Oregon Investment Council raises the bar with Responsible Contracting Policy

    April 8, 2020 /

    In a win-win for all Oregonians, the Oregon Investment Council (OIC) unanimously approved March 11 an updated Responsible Contractor Policy (RCP), that helps protect property services workers (janitors and security officers), commercial real estate tenants and participants in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) from irresponsible contracting practices in commercial real estate markets across the country.

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  • 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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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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