Media Reports: Justice for Janitors

Justice for Janitors Media Reports, 1988-2010

Organizing sticker features the distinctive up-stretched fist holding a broom before the image of a modern office building.

Follow the development of the Justice for Janitors campaign in Los Angeles from 1988 to 2004 through media reports in the Los Angeles Times and La Opinion. Or browse a selection of TV news of labor events. The campaign launched in 1988 as a project within SEIU Local 399. In the mid-1990s, building service workers in Local 399 moved into SEIU Local 1877, which later changed its name to United Service Workers West (USWW)-SEIU.

The links below will take you to content in Proquest Historical Newspapers, a subscription service. To view the content you will need to be on the network of a library or school that subscribes.

OLMO, FRANK DEL. “$1 Million Union Drive Aimed at Hospital Workers.” Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif., February 13, 1975, sec. Part I. https://search.proquest.com/hnplatimes/docview/157781685/abstract/769D1AAD46A8474DPQ/1.
Weinstein, Henry. “Janitors Stage Vigil as Part of National Protest: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), March 31, 1988, sec. Metro; 2; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/292728083/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/2?accountid=14512.
Mann, Eric. “Janitors Toil in Limbo Behind Downtown’s Glitter: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), June 26, 1988, sec. Opinion; 5; Op Ed Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/292893917/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/3?accountid=14512.
Los Angeles Times (pre-1997 Fulltext). “Local News in Brief `Justice for Janitors’ Suit Filed by Union: [Home Edition].” September 1, 1988, sec. Metro; 2; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/280623111/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/6?accountid=14512.
Feldman, Paul. “`What Would Happen If They Walked off Their Jobs and Left Everything like It Was the Night before?’ Janitors Get Attention With Rally: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), February 11, 1989, sec. 1; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/280579284/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/7?accountid=14512.
Baker, Bob. “Santa Offers Presents to Aid Cause of Janitors Labor: His Visits to L.A. Office Complexes Turn out to Be a Campaign to Pressure Cleaning Firms into Recognizing Union.: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), December 21, 1989, sec. Metro; PART-B; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/280995913/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/8?accountid=14512.
Los Angeles Times (pre-1997 Fulltext). “Janitors Threaten Century City Strike: [Home Edition].” April 27, 1990, sec. Metro; PART-B; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/281092816/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/10?accountid=14512.
Baker, Bob. “Most Century City Janitors Decide to Walk Off the Job: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), May 31, 1990, sec. Metro; PART-B; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/281130839/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/11?accountid=14512.
Torres, Vicki. “Talking Trash: Strike Supporters Sweep Through Century City.” Los Angeles Times, June 2, 1990, sec. B. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/420876139/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/12?accountid=14512.
Torres, Vicki. “Talking Trash Strike Supporters Sweep Through Century City: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), June 2, 1990, sec. Metro; PART-B; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/281143073/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/13?accountid=14512.
Baker, Bob. “Police Use Force to Block Strike March Labor: About Two Dozen Demonstrators Are Injured during Protest by Janitors in Century City.: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), June 16, 1990, sec. Metro; PART-B; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/281089965/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/14?accountid=14512.
Baker, Bob. “Inquiry Into Strike Violence Ordered Labor: Mayor Bradley Directs Police Commission to Investigate Clash between Officers and Demonstrating Janitors so It `doesn’t Happen Again.’: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), June 19, 1990, sec. Metro; PART-B; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/281185869/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/15?accountid=14512.
Rodriguez, Antonio H., and Gloria J. Romero. “Corporate America’s Security-Guards-in-Blue Unions: When L.A. Officers Used Their Nightsticks against Striking Janitors, an Era Long Ended Suddenly Returned.: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), June 22, 1990, sec. Metro; PART-B; Op Ed Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/281065156/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/16?accountid=14512.
Baker, Bob. “Tentative Accord OKd to End Janitors’ Strike Labor: Walkout Affected Most of Century City’s Office Towers. Workers Will Get Wage Increases, Health Insurance, Vacations and Sick Pay.: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), June 26, 1990, sec. Metro; PART-B; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/281158553/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/17?accountid=14512.
Acuna, Rodolfo. “COLUMN LEFT America Retreats on Labor Laws The Replacement of Strikers Not Only Threatens Collective Bargaining but Erodes the Notion That There Is an American Dream Open to All.: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), July 16, 1990, sec. Metro; PART-B; Op Ed Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/281070044/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/18?accountid=14512.
Baker, Bob. “The Sacrifice Behind the Speeches: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), September 1, 1990, sec. Metro; PART-B; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/281156336/CBC4CFD8B6684D0BPQ/20?accountid=14512.
Rosado, Paula. “Demandan se reformen las leyes laborales de EU: Se llevaron a cabo protestas en 35 ciudades, entre ellas Los Angeles.” La Opinión, May 29, 1993. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368160084/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/2?accountid=14512.
Ubaldo, Jose. “Estudio revela falta de seguridad para empleados de la limpieza de LA.” La Opinión, October 9, 1993. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368053374/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/4?accountid=14512.
Marrero, Maria del Pilar. “Contribucion de los latinos a Estados Unidos.” La Opinión, February 10, 1994. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368132498/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/5?accountid=14512.
Sierra, Jose Luis. “Organizaciones y sindicatos latinos se unen para crear una union crediticia: Captarian al publico que recurre a las llamadas casas de cambio para efectuar transacciones a un costo muy elevado.” La Opinión, January 9, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368224300/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/6?accountid=14512.
Arredondo, Maria Luisa. “Anuncian otra marcha y huelga contra la Prop. 187: Ahora el ataque estara concentrado en los nuevos proyectos del Congreso.” La Opinión, February 3, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368272834/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/7?accountid=14512.
Arredondo, Maria Luisa. “Miles de trabajadores de la limpieza protestan por falta de contrato colectivo.” La Opinión, February 8, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368267175/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/8?accountid=14512.
Sierra, Jose Luis. “Ordenan estudio al Dpto. de Salud que favorece a empleados de la limpieza.” La Opinión, March 22, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368244408/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/9?accountid=14512.
La Opinión. “Politicos locales apoyan a empleados de limpieza.” March 28, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368248352/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/10?accountid=14512.
Marrero, Maria del Pilar. “Conserjes acuerdan contratos: Firmaran convenio con veinte companias.” La Opinión, April 4, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368255907/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/11?accountid=14512.
Mann, Eric. “Historico triunfo laboral.” La Opinión, April 19, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368090417/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/12?accountid=14512.
McDONNELL, PATRICK J., and Paul Feldman. “Agents Raid Sweatshops, Arrest 55 at 3 Sites Garments: Federal Investigators Say Workers Included 39 Thais Who May Have Been Paying off Debts. Clothes Appeared to Be Headed for Major Retailers.: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times (Pre-1997 Fulltext), August 24, 1995, sec. Metro; PART-B; Metro Desk. http://search.proquest.com/latimes/docview/293341982/abstract/A8253F6BB5B461EPQ/1.
Robles, Francisco. “Muchas nacionalidades y consignas se mezclan en larga marcha de ayer.” La Opinión, October 16, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368147379/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/13?accountid=14512.
Ubaldo, Jose. “Inician campana para aumentar salario minimo: Presentaran una iniciativa electoral para que votantes decidan en 1996.” La Opinión, November 14, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368118252/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/14?accountid=14512.
Vidal, Josefina. “Latinos en los frentes sindicales.” La Opinión, November 20, 1995. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368167101/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/15?accountid=14512.
Ballesteros, Mary. “Triunfos, derrotas y esperanzas del sindicalismo: Dia del Trabajo se celebra con el movimiento obrero ante nuevos desafios.” La Opinión, September 2, 1996. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368197253/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/17?accountid=14512.
Bacon, David. “Derechos laborales: Juego sucio antisindical.” La Opinión, March 11, 1998. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368261368/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/19?accountid=14512.
Linares, Jesse. “Gore en Boyle Heights: Vicepresidente hace campana por Gray Davis en el corazon de la comunidad latina.” La Opinión, October 22, 1998. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368217395/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/20?accountid=14512.
Gutierrez, Juan. “Renace la esperanza: Inmigracion.” La Opinión, November 7, 1999. http://search.proquest.com/ethnicnewswatch/docview/368331263/86A5E3AEF8E4519PQ/21?accountid=14512.
Meyerson, Harold. “Enter the Janitors.” L.A. Weekly, April 12, 2000. http://www.laweekly.com/news/enter-the-janitors-2131910.
Treviño, Joseph. “Scab Patrol.” L.A. Weekly, April 19, 2000. https://www.laweekly.com/news/scab-patrol-2131917.
Treviño, Joseph. “Janitor Power.” L.A. Weekly, April 26, 2000. https://www.laweekly.com/news/janitor-power-2131943.