Janitors represented by United Service Workers West, an SEIU local, who clean the Century Plaza in Los Angeles, have erected a tent city outside 2000 Avenue of the Stars as they launch a week of protests in support of recently laid-off janitors. The dispute began two weeks ago when the custodial contractor, ABM, laid off 16 janitors who work at the Plaza, owned by JP Morgan Chase, and, in protest, 57 co-workers at Century Plaza walked off the job. The contractor suspended those workers.
"Where do you draw the line? When do we say enough?" said David Huerta, vice president of United Service Workers West. "This is what is wrong with our economy: a company thinks nothing of eliminating jobs to save pennies while doling out $9 billion in bonuses. This is bigger than JP Morgan Chase, it's bigger than the 19 janitors who sparked this fight; it's about standing up and fighting for what is right and what's good for our country."
The protest will include a three-day Fast for Justice, a candlelight vigil, and rallies on Wednesday, August 25, and Thursday, August 26. As of today, neither ABM nor Chase has commented on the planned protests.