Justice for Janitors Rally in Hartford Thursday, Dec. 20

by frank o'gorman

1 comment

1 Richard { 12.20.07 at 10:53 am }

Thanks Frank for this posting.

The Justice for Janitors Campaign is a most important fight in support of those on the bottom from which the top is always willing to take back the small ammount the janitors have. Why do these pigglets always cut the bottom? Exposing pigglet corportae heads over the years who expouse social concerns but think its okay not to pay their janitors a decent wage and treat them with respect has been a most interesting and enlighting process.

Queers have long been involved in this struggle. My partner Tim is a union steward for 32BJ and also over the years has been a member of the negotiating team. He has filled me in on corporate greed at its worse,right here in our back yard. Other Queers who have taken to the street and raised their voices in support have been Evelyn Mantilla (past St. Rep), Susan Hyde (past Hartford City Council member) Steve Gavron, John Bonelli, Carolyn Gabel-Brett, Paul Hartung, Dr. Richard Stillson, myself and others. Sorry I know I have forgotten people as I remember the large contingent that marched on the gas company with the janitors and the sit in at the Candy Cane Building.) Thanks to one and all for all thats been done.

A few years back a blockade of Main Street happened. Tim, our good friend Mary, 32 BJ members and allies from other unions, social justice groups and the faith communities sat down in the middle of Main at Pearl Street. You thought the snow storm mess of cars was bad you should have seen the mess at rush hour that blocking that intersection makes. The riot police were there and chanting jaintors and supporters were on all sides of the intersection. Screams and cheers went up as each person was arrested and taken to the paddy wagon. What a day! I thought the revolution had arrived in Hartford.

Justice for Janitors Campaigns have always been lively with noise makers made from soda cans filled with pebbles, to drums, to the shaking of mops and brooms, loud noisy chants,songs, cops busting people and once or twice a large inflatable rat. In this art workers opinion their demo’s are an important work of political art.

The last day of negotiations for their new contract is Thursday December 20, the people are willing to strike if need be.

This fight is an important fight and a heading on a leaflet that the art group MADA ART Party brings out simply states, “While Those on The Top Roll Around Like Pigs In Their Greed, We The Workers Suffer.” The leaflet has 3 big pigs in top hats lolling around looking content. We always like to tell these pigs that they poo too and someone must clean up their mess. Just think if no one cleaned their corporate toliet, emptied their trash or dusted their building. They would all get sick.

In our fine Queer tradition lets support the Justice For Janitors Campaign in any way that we can and when we can.

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