Catherwood LibraryILR School

In a major victory for members of Service Employees International Union Local 1877 preparing for upcoming contract negotiations with the owners and cleaning contractors of Los Angeles high-rise offices and apartment buildings, the city's Mayor yesterday came out swinging for the janitors. Having marched with the janitors when they brought many LA areas to a slow grind in a 2000 strike triggered by deadlocked negotiations for the previous contract, Mayor James Hahn yesterday called on high-rise landlords to avoid a strike in the upcoming negotiations. Mr. Hahn promised labor leaders once again seeking a twenty-five percent raise for the low-paid janitors that he will use his full power to push building owners to negotiate a fair contract, and later reiterated his support for decent wages and benefits at a meeting of Local 1877 members.