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Taxpayers pick up the bill as ServiceMaster of Swan Island “maintains its competitive advantage” by lowering standards for janitors.

ServiceMaster of Swan Island, an irresponsible janitorial contractor, purchased some union janitorial accounts in December 2006 and unilaterally eliminated those janitors’ employer-funded health care and their union. The majority of ServiceMaster’s employees are only offered part-time work, and ServiceMaster does not offer affordable health insurance. This forces many janitors to rely on taxpayer-funded programs for their health care.

Now ServiceMaster is offering to bargain, but their proposal includes no affordable health insurance. The proposed wages and benefits would unilaterally lower standards for janitors in Portland, which ServiceMaster claims is necessary in order to “maintain their competitive advantage.”

Contact ServiceMaster’s owners. Let them know that lowering standards for Portland workers while passing the extra costs on to taxpayers is irresponsible. Ask them to bargain a fair contract with their employees that includes affordable health care and a fair process to form a union.

“When I first heard their proposal, I thought it was a joke. They are basically eliminating all of our union benefits. Taking away our wage increases, employer-paid health insurance, and pension would lower standards for all Portland janitors."

—Erik Butler, ServiceMaster Janitor