As you know, Houston Janitors have been bargaining for a new contract. While most of the city’s cleaning contactors have been working with the janitors, sitting down at the bargaining table, one company—Pritchard Industries—has been playing games and refusing to negotiate.
NOW employees of one building report that Pritchard has told them that they no longer have a union and even cut their wages down to minimum wage even though the contract does not expire until November 20th. In fact, Pritchard claims that the contract does not expire, so no change to conditions should have been made. Charges have been filed against Pritchard on this issue as well as their failure to bargain in good faith.
With bargaining scheduled for tomorrow, janitors need your help in outreaching to Pritchard/Pritchard clients.
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BACKGROUND ON PRITCHARD’S CONDUCT:
On November 4, SEIU Local 1 filed a charge of unfair labor practices against Pritchard with the National Labor Relations Board, Region 16, alleging that Pritchard is refusing to bargain in good faith, in violation of Section 8(a)(5) of the National Labor Relations Act.
This is not the first time that Pritchard has tried to knock Houston’s janitorial industry off its path toward better standards, good jobs and quality services. In 2005, when janitors formed their union, Pritchard questioned the integrity of the majority sign-up process, which was overseen by the American Arbitration Association, a well-respected private arbitration company. Pritchard lost that claim and SEIU Local 1 is confident that the NLRB and /or courts will also put an end to Pritchard’s current gamesmanship.
AT STAKE are good jobs for Houston’s hard working janitors who contribute to our city’s economy and ensure that our companies are ready for business each morning. It is the hope of Houston’s janitors that Pritchard Industries commit to bargaining in good faith so ensure that the industry continues on its path toward good jobs and quality service.
Campaign Expiration Date:
November 30, 2009
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