SEIU Local 1 Janitors, Currently Fighting for Higher Wages in New Contract, Celebrate $15 Wage for St. Louis Civil Service Workers
Mayor’s action sends yet another strong signal to business community; it’s time for a $15 wage for all working families
ST. LOUIS – Local 1 janitor Michelle McNeal, who cleans 1010 Market in downtown St. Louis, responded to Mayor Lyda Krewson’s executive order #65, which set a $15 minimum wage for City civil service employees. Michelle is one of the 2,100 janitors who clean buildings across the City and County currently fighting for a strong a new contract and One St. Louis – a city where every working family can make ends meet with at least $15 and good union jobs.
“Working people have been leading the fight for the $15 wage we need to put food on the table for our families and make our communities more equitable across racial lines. Late last year, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to support a $15 wage for St. Louis janitors, and today the mayor took action to do the same for City civil service workers.
"Treasurer Tishaura Jones’ office, Washington University in St. Louis, BJC Healthcare and now the City of St. Louis put working people on a path to $15. Mayor Krewson’s action sends a strong message to business and civic leaders - $15 is possible in St. Louis.“
Janitors who clean prominent buildings like US Bank, Wells Fargo and Met Square are tired of struggling to support our families and neighborhoods on low wages. We hope they take note of the mayor’s actions today.”
###
Service Employees International Union Local 1 unites 50,000 workers throughout the Midwest, including more than 5,000 commercial janitors, higher education faculty, food service workers, state workers in the Division of Probation and Parole, school custodians, patient care professionals, and more in Missouri. Local 1 is committed to improving the lives of its members and all working people by winning real economic justice and standing at the forefront of the fight for immigrant, racial and environmental justice.