By TONY PERRY, Times Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO--In another victory for the "justice for janitors"
campaign, UC San Diego on Thursday agreed to hire campus janitors employed
by a contractor that has strongly resisted their efforts to join a union.
The move will nearly double the janitors' salaries and provide them,
for the first time, with vacation, pension and health benefits.
"All of us are very happy," said janitor Ana Lopez. "I encourage all
other workers to not be afraid of their bosses."
For months, the issue had sparked the kind of political upheaval not
usually seen at the science-oriented campus: rallies, picketing, a protest
petition by professors, civil disobedience that led to 15 arrests, and
public criticism of Chancellor Robert C. Dynes.
Tensions escalated when one of Dynes' top aides, acting on a tip,
called the Immigration and Naturalization Service to suggest that some of
the janitors might be in the country illegally.
Calling the INS only broadened public support for the janitors in
their fight with Bergenson Property Services and subjected Dynes and the
university to criticism from various quarters. In the end, the campus
decided to drop its contract with Bergenson.
"The workers were tough as nails, and the students were organized,"
said union organizer Mike Wilzoch. "Nobody thought it could be done in
sleepy San Diego, but we did it."
Under an agreement reached between the university and the Service
Employees International Union, the 50 janitors employed by Bergenson and
working at the campus will be offered jobs as university employees. The
school already has about 300 janitorial employees.
Upon joining the UC payroll, the janitors' wages will jump from $6.40
an hour to between $9 and $12 an hour. Each janitor will receive 12 paid
holidays, paid vacation, pension benefits, and family health insurance.
Bergenson offered five holidays but no vacation or health insurance,
officials said.
"I was so worried about how I could care for my baby without
insurance," said janitor Camarina Negrete, who is six months' pregnant.
"Now I know I can get the best care for my child."
Alejandra Rodriguez, fired by Bergenson while attempting to persuade
other janitors to join a labor union, will be among those offered a job.
Rodriguez has a complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board
over her firing.
"We believe that this course of action is in the best interests of
the university," the campus said in a statement. Bergenson officials did
not comment.
As university employees, the janitors will be represented by the
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Fifteen students were arrested June 1 while blocking an intersection
near the campus to gain attention for the janitors' unionization bid.
Also, there was a confrontation on May 22 between an administrator and
several pro-janitor students who were attempting to crash a gathering
hosted by Dynes for major donors to UC San Diego.
The unexpected move by the administration came just two days after a
protest letter was delivered to Dynes from 40 faculty members saying they
were "troubled" that his administration had contacted the INS.
"Even if university representatives believed they were acting in good
faith," the faculty letter said, "the involvement of the INS could only
create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation for the workers. University
officials should have realized this."
Although it is common for universities to hire private custodial
firms, the "justice for janitors" campaign has not become a widespread
campus issue.
One labor organizer suggested that may be a reflection of the level
of bitterness between Bergenson and its employees and also the fact that
many campuses prefer to contract with unionized companies.