Recently, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 janitors who service over 150 buildings in Kansas City, MO and Jackson County voted to ratify a strong new contract covering around 800 essential janitors who take care of our most iconic public spaces – from Crown Center to Union Station to City Hall. This victory for Kansas City working families comes after weeks of actions and rallies.
The 3-year contract includes three years of guaranteed raises, increased paid leave and additional protections around use of that paid leave, improved bereavement leave, and language protecting workers’ reassignment rights. Now, Local 1 members can do the janitorial work that has a direct impact on the health, productivity, and satisfaction of the tenants and residents who use these buildings throughout Kansas City, while knowing they are earning the wages and respect working people deserve.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my fellow janitors and the new contract we won,” said Ernesto Rodriguez, Local 1 janitor in Kansas City for 6 years. “Working people like us are struggling to make ends meet. But with this new contract, we are able to have a little more breathing room when having to pay our bills.”
“Local 1 essential janitors throughout Kansas City and Jackson County were active for months to ensure a fair contract was won,” said Chris Rak, SEIU Local 1 Vice President and Missouri Director . “Local 1 is a proud member-led Union and these essential janitors, along with the support from local elected officials and community groups, showed just how powerful working people can be when they are united.”
Tristin Amezcua-Hogan is the Editor of The Labor Beacon and a member of LIUNA Local 264. Tristin also serves as the Director of Communications for the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO and the Chair of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance.
Tristin grew up as the son of a UA Local 669 member in Tecumseh, KS and the great-nephew of George C. Amis, longtime leader of the United Rubberworkers (now USW Local 307) in Kansas. Growing up in rural Kansas as the child of teen parents, Tristin quickly came to appreciate the life-changing benefit of a union job.
Tristin and his partner, Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, are residents of the Westside, Kansas City, MO's historic Mexican neighborhood. They are proud members of Kansas City's New Reform Temple.
