Protests continue at M Financial Plaza, a JP Morgan Chase-owned building that dumped its union janitors
With drums and chanting, janitors and their allies protested at M Financial Plaza again twice in recent weeks, challenging the building’s switch to using a non-union janitorial company. At issue is the decision by property manager Arke Management to not renew its service contract with ABM at M Financial Plaza in Portland’s Pearl District. ABM employees are members of SEIU Local 49, and are guaranteed fair wages, quality health insurance for themselves and their children, retirement contributions, and enforceable policies to foster respect on the job. To replace them, Arke Management brought in Millennium Building Services, a company with a history of troubling labor conditions, in late 2023. Since…
JPMorgan, ‘Tis the season to clean up the mess at M Financial Plaza
Portland, Oregon – Dec. 19, 2024 Controversy continues for JPMorgan Chase after the union janitors were replaced in a JPMorgan-owned building in Oregon. A group of about 20 janitors and their allies protested today at M Financial Plaza in Portland’s Pearl District, calling on building owner JPMorgan Chase to create good jobs by ensuring a union janitorial company cleans the property. The janitors, members of SEIU Local 49, first delivered candy canes and sang a Christmas carol at M Financial Plaza, across from Powell’s City of Books in the Brewery Blocks. They hung paper ornaments on a Christmas tree labeled with their items on their wish list, including…
Janitors and Security Officers Reach Historic Bargaining Agreements!
Contract settlements ensure fair wage increases, protect important union benefits, and will invest an additional $9M into our communities through increased worker spending power while keeping Portland’s offices clean and secure. The metro area’s union janitors and security officers have secured historic contract agreements ahead of their June 30 expiration dates. The union agreements include wage increases to keep up with the cost of living, maintain important union benefits such as affordable healthcare and paid time off, and continue to investing industry training funds that support the safety and success of frontline workers while adding value for building owners and tenants. The agreement also ensures sustainable costs for clients, which…
IS YOUR PROPERTY MANAGER PART OF THE PEARL’S PROBLEM?
Portland Metro Janitors Kick off Bargaining as Contract Nears Expiration
Portland janitors who work for many of the metro area’s largest commercial building rally for fair wages and a strong contract. Union janitors who clean the metro area’s largest commercial buildings rallied on May 31 to demand fair wage increases and to protect their affordable healthcare as their contract opened for bargaining. Their current contract expires on June 30, 2024. Janitors addressed the crowd, sharing stories of what a fair wage increase and maintaining union benefits would mean for their families. Janitors also spoke with pride about the ongoing work they have been doing to clean and maintain our commercial spaces, despite the significant challenges posed by…