What on earth is going on at J.P. Morgan’s M Financial Plaza?

Raise America PDX : Commercial Real Estate and labor issues in the Portland metro area

M Financial Plaza in Portland, Oregon, has been the site for more than a dozen protests since the building’s property manager replaced its janitorial service provider in late 2023. 

What’s at stake? Rather than choosing a replacement from one of many union-friendly companies listed in SEIU’s Responsible Contractor Guide, Arke Management chose Millennium Building Services, a non-union company with a history of workplace problems, including poor wages and benefits, high employee turnover, and employer violations of basic workplace rights, according to worker reports. 

Most recently, a crowd of chanting janitors and allies gathered in front of M Financial Plaza on July 17, distributing leaflets about the controversy to building tenants and visitors. They called on business leaders to invest in good jobs, underscoring that J.P. Morgan Chase is the largest bank in the country, and that M Financial Group serves the “ultra-affluent.” 

Many passersby heard the accompanying mariachi band (as seen on X, Facebook, and Instagram) and stopped to show support. 

The week before, protesting janitors were joined by local celebrity Ceasar the No Drama Llama. (See X, Facebook, Instgram.) 

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, the building’s owner, has not committed to ensuring that a union janitorial company do the work. Nor has M Financial Group, the anchor tenant. 

If you are concerned about this issue, you may wish to contact: 

Tom Villanova, J.P. Morgan: thomas.j.villanova@jpmorgan.com  

Kent Languell, M Financial Group: kent.languell@mfin.com 

Jacob Johnson, Arke Management/PREM Group: Jacob.Johnson@premgrp.com