St. Louis Board of Aldermen Passes Resolution in Support of $15 Wage for 2,100 SEIU Local 1 Janitors
ST. LOUIS - Today, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen overwhelmingly passed a resolution in support of a $15 wage for 2,100 SEIU Local 1 janitors who clean notable buildings like Wells Fargo, US Bank and Metropolitan Square. The passage comes after a rally where SEIU Local 1 janitors, joined by Ald. Sharon Tyus (1), Ald. Christine Ingrassia (6), Ald. Sarah Martin (11), Ald. Bret Narayan (24) and Representative-elect Rasheen Aldridge, brought their fight for One St. Louis - at least $15 and good union jobs for all - to City Hall. Janitors, carrying their brooms and mops, unveiled the One St. Louis Arch, highlighting how at least $15 and good union jobs for all would help working people build safer neighborhoods and stronger families while making our region more equitable across racial lines.
“We work hard cleaning the most expensive buildings in St. Louis, but janitors are struggling to make ends meet. That’s not right,” said SEIU Local 1 janitor Stephanie Patterson, who cleans the Wells Fargo Building for $10 an hour. “We need at least $15 to raise our families, and we’re happy to have the City’s support in our fight for a strong new contract and One St. Louis, a region that works for all.”
Following the event, the Board of Aldermen passed a resolution supporting janitors as they negotiate for a $15 wage. Janitors returned to the bargaining table again this afternoon.
“Today, the Board of Aldermen sent a strong message to the business community that elected leaders support janitors as they come together for the $15 they need to put food on the table,” said Alderwoman Sharon Tyus. “Washington University, BJC HealthCare and more are already putting workers on a path to $15 - it’s time others do the same.”On October 23, janitors rallied outside the Old Courthouse to kick off the fight for One St. Louis, a region where all working families can support themselves with at least a $15 wage and good union jobs. The fight is in line with the Ferguson Commission’s recommendations to enact a $15 wage to give working people the opportunity to thrive. Five years after the protests, janitors are still coming together for the transformative change their communities need.