Justice for Janitors forms plan of action

By: Perry Robbins

Posted: 11/19/08

Yesterday, Justice for Janitors met in the Student Organization Center of the Student Union to discuss the next step in their efforts to stop 26 UConn janitors from losing their jobs.

In attendance were organization leaders, student activists, janitors and their union representative. The group had recently met with UConn Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Barry Feldman, to discuss the history of the conflict.

According to one of the movement organizers, Monica Castignoli, a 7th-semester communications major, they discussed issues with janitorial staffing that began in 1999 and continue to the present, but the exact history is disputed by both sides. Justice for Janitors received information at the meeting that the 26 janitorial jobs which are at risk of being removed would result in savings for the university of approximately $1,000,000. This figure was said to be arrived upon by a consulting firm not affiliated with the university. Additionally, Justice for Janitors will be receiving detailed contract information relating to the current janitorial situation.

The meeting moved onto the topic of future action, noting that involvement in the Justice for Janitors organization is growing.

Castignoli noted that petitions circulated at previous events have yielded more than 350 signatures.

She also mentioned that their concert, featuring rapper Immortal Technique, was a success and that Immortal Technique and others performing at the show brought up their cause multiple times.

According to Castignoli, approximately 20 UConn law students, who are affiliated with the National Lawyers Guild, have expressed interest and want to become involved in the movement. There will be a meeting with the law students in Hartford Thursday, Nov. 20.

Juan Hernandez, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) representative for the janitors, said he had met with representatives from the UConn Health Center who are facing the loss of 19 workers.

"Right now the school is on the offensive," Hernandez said. "We have to find a way to react."

The Justice for Janitors organization then planned for an event on Dec. 1, to spread their message to those in line before the UConn Basketball game scheduled for that night. The group also discussed when and how to deliver their petition signatures to the UConn administration.

The movement hopes to deliver the petitions with a strong showing of concerned students and workers.

Other issues of importance that were discussed included forming Justice for Janitors as a recognized, registered student group, especially so they can participate in the student involvement fair, and how to best attract and keep the attention of those on campus and in the community.