Good Jobs Return to Commonwealth Building

Owner KBS and manager CBRE move to protect workers and investment by hiring responsible janitorial contractor.

Janitors celebrate this month as word was released that good union jobs would be returning to the Commonwealth Building in downtown Portland. Commonwealth had, for years, been cleaned by union janitors before a decision was made to choose Expresso Building Services to clean the building. After speaking out, downtown janitors can celebrate a step in the right direction after Commonwealth announced that they would be changing contractors to use a verified “Responsible Contractor” to clean the building.

Expresso Building Services’ other customers still have something to worry about. Expresso has failed to register as a provider of janitorial services with Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries, as required by law. Expresso is rated “Red,” the lowest possible rating, on ResponsibleContractorGuide.net.  Their failure to register means that clients of Expresso’s could be held jointly liable were Expresso found to be in violation of Oregon wage law.

Building owners concerned about the conduct of their janitorial subcontractor have a safe option: choosing a verified responsible contractor as listed on RaiseAmericaPDX.org/Responsible. In Oregon, Responsible Contractors have verified that they meet area standards for wages and benefits, have a tried and tested dispute resolution system should issues arise, and are registered with the state of Oregon to provide janitorial services.