CINCINNATI, OHIO
Historic union contract will more than double the income of janitors in Cincinnati
On the heels of recent high-profile contract victories that made dramatic gains for thousands of working families in Houston and Miami, Cincinnati janitors have won higher wages, more work hours, and health insurance in their first-ever city-wide union contract. The groundbreaking agreement will help lift more than a thousand janitors out of poverty, increasing the income of the majority of workers by an incredible 129 percent over the course of the contract—nearly doubling their income of workers at the lowest end of the spectrum within the first 18 months alone.
“This is a huge victory for our families and for our neighborhoods,” said Cincinnati janitor Lauressie “Dee Dee” Tillman, “I’m proud of what we have accomplished, not just for us and our families, but for all of the workers in this city who are paid so little. We showed what can be done—what must be done—to make Cincinnati a better city to live in.”
“This is a huge victory for our families and for our neighborhoods,” said Cincinnati janitor Lauressie “Dee Dee” Tillman, “I’m proud of what we have accomplished, not just for us and our families, but for all of the workers in this city who are paid so little. We showed what can be done—what must be done—to make Cincinnati a better city to live in.”
Meet Workers from Cincinnati
[Cincinnati] When Mary looks back toward her own neighborhood, the view gets ugly. “The main intersection in my neighborhood is a marquee for poverty,” she says.
[Cincinnati] Employed by cleaning contractor Professional Maintenance, Craig works hard. Limited by his employer to working just 6 hours each day, Craig is paid just $6.85 an hour, which amounts to $10,000 per year, most of which goes to rent.
[Cincinnati] For Tiffany, working hard is not paying off. To provide health coverage for her two children, she must rely on government assistance.
[Cincinnati] David started working with his co-workers to form a union with SEIU three years ago. Now that janitors are fighting for their first union contract, he believes workers will see real improvements in their quality of life.
[Cincinnati] Lauressie is determined to gain access to the medical care that she and her family need. But she knows that she’s not alone when it comes to lack of access to health care.