Foundation of the Union: Janitors and Custodians in SEIU

(32905) Justice for Janitors protest at Century City, Los Angeles CA, 1990

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:40:19 -0400

A snapshot from a personal camera as LAPD confront Justice for Janitors demonstrators soon before police used violence to disperse the peaceful demonstration at the Century City district in Los Angeles, 1990.

(32955) Justice for Janitors rally, demonstrator, Washington D.C., 1989

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 16:37:49 -0400

A janitor and member of SEIU taking part in a J4J rally at the World Bank in honor of Martin Luther King Jr, 1989.

(32958) Luis Moreno, janitor and demonstrator, 1989

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:53:32 -0400

Janitor and member of SEIU, Luis Moreno, posing with his vacuum cleaner in front of the downtown buildings of Los Angeles in 1989. Many of these skyscrapers were the site of J4J demonstrations, in which Moreno prominently took part.

(33003) Justice for Janitors pilgrimage rally, Atlanta GA, 1988

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:58:23 -0400

Jobs with Justice and Justice for Janitors pilgrimage from Memphis to Atlanta rally in Atlanta, 1988.

(33004) J4J list of demands, Atlanta, 1988

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:02:10 -0400

A trashcan with a list of the demands from the demonstrators at a joint Jobs with Justice and Justice for Janitors rally in Atlanta, 1988.

(33012) J4J all-nighter vigil, Los Angeles, 1988

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:06:21 -0400

Demonstrators participating in the Justice for Janitors all-nighter vigil in Los Angeles, 1988.

(33018) J4J rally with Thunderbolt Patterson

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:11:08 -0400

A demonstration by SEIU members for the Justice for Janitors campaign against the Peachtree Center of Atlanta, 1988. In the center wearing sunglasses is professional wrestler James “Thunderbolt” Patterson. Known for once holding the US title and trying to create a labor union of professional wrestlers, James took time off from the activity to be an organizer for SEIU and became a prominent member of the J4J Atlanta campaign.

(33028) Jesse Jackson at SEIU Executive Board meeting

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:15:52 -0400

Jesse Jackson, a 1988 presidential candidate, trying out a floor buffer, a device commonly used by SEIU members within janitorial positions. This occurrence took place around an SEIU executive board meeting in Washington DC, 1987. John Sweeney, SEIU International President, looks on to the left of Jackson.

(33041) Janitors rally aerial banner, Pittsburgh PA, 1986

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:23:36 -0400

An aerial banner flown by airplane over an SEIU rally in support of janitors demonstrating at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh, 1986. Sign reads "SUPPORT MELLON BANK JANITORS TUES 7-29".

(33043) Janitors rally, Denver CO, 1986

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:26:46 -0400

A member of SEIU participating in a Denver J4J demonstration with her children in 1986.

(33369) Janitors at Democratic National Convention

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:34:15 -0400

Custodians and members of SEIU Local 54 working at the 1976 Democratic Party’s National Convention in New York City. The custodians are working on the convention floor within Madison Square Garden where the delegates from each state assembled.

(33372) Demonstration with bags of garbage

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:39:01 -0400

Demonstration by members of SEIU Local 32B in New York City. The demonstrators, mostly custodial staff, leave bags of garbage in front of the building they are striking.

(33459) Union bowling outing

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:43:30 -0400

A member of the BSEIU Local 1 Chicago Flat Janitors, W. Noll, participating in a bowling tournament hosted by the local union.

(33495) Meeting with janitors

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 16:08:55 -0400

Custodians from Lake Shore Management Company at the offices of their union, BSEIU Local 1, meeting with BSEIU staff, circa 1950.

(33496) Building Services Center

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 16:13:31 -0400

The Building Services Center of the Chicago Flat Janitors Union, BSEIU Local 1.

(33497) Janitors marching in parade

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 16:16:59 -0400

Members of BSEIU Local 1 Chicago Flat Janitors marching in a Labor Day parade in the 1940s, downtown Chicago.

(33500) BSEIU Local 1 parade float

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 16:20:31 -0400

Parade float for BSEIU Local 1 of the Chicago Flat Janitors in the 1950s. Likely for a Labor Day parade.

(33571) Local 50 members and billboard

gstrassel — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 16:24:20 -0400

Members of SEIU Local 50 posing in front of a billboard advertising their union.