• News,  Union Difference

    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…

  • A large group of people wearing purple SEIU Local 49 shirts hold up a banner that says, "Respetanos, Proteganos, Paganos" (Respect Us, Protect Us, Pay Us in Spanish)
    News

    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…

  • News,  Unico

    Unico Champions Green Cleaning in Downtown Portland with Innovative Training for Union Janitors

    Green Janitor Health Certification Program seeking new building manager partners. In downtown Portland, Unico is leading the way in green cleaning. Over the last two years, they’ve trained ​​​​​​29 union janitors at their commercial properties as part of the Green Janitor Health Certification Program. The Green Janitor Health Certification Program provides comprehensive training to janitorial staff about practices that meet the latest energy, water, and green initiative standards. It covers topics like energy efficiency, recycling, waste management, water conservation, and more. Through this program, janitors are encouraged to take part in the building’s goals of improving energy efficiency and building health. This means sharing recommendations on improvements to their worksites,…

  • "Union janitors and security officers keep Portland open for business. Invest in Us."
    News

    “Invest in Us”: Billboard Encourages Downtown Building Owners to Support Union Janitors and Security Officers

    Billboard showcases proud members of SEIU Local 49, highlighting the role they play in keeping our communities thriving. Janitors and security officers are a critical part of keeping Portland open for business and come to work every day to keep Portland buildings clean, safe, and secure. As SEIU Local 49 janitors and security officers continue bargaining for fair contracts, their smiling faces are now featured on a billboard in downtown Portland. The sign’s simple but powerful message, “Invest in Us” seeks to remind industry decision-makers that you need to continue investing in responsible, union contractors if you want the best for Portland’s buildings and for our city!

  • Aerial view of protesters all round an intersection
    News

    Portland’s Union Janitors and Security Officers Unite in Pursuit of Fair Contracts

    Expiring June 30: the union contracts covering the janitors and security officers who clean and secure Portland’s downtown, Lloyd District, Central Eastside Industrial District, Kruse Way, and the Silicon Forest. Thousands of union janitors and security officers in the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington are coming together to bargain for fair wage increases and maintaining their affordable healthcare and other benefits. Janitors ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of office buildings and security officers patrol our downtown spaces, ensuring safety and security for all.   Janitors and security officers love our region and are proud of the work they do to clean and secure their worksites. And these workers are deeply…