Urging the Building Operators Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR) and Colin Services to negotiate with SEIU Local 36 and bargain in good faith in order to ensure that janitors, maintenance mechanics and engineers receive a fair contract that provides for decent wages accompanied with quality health and family benefits.

WHEREAS, Office rental and occupancy rates in Center City Philadelphia have reached record levels and janitors as well as other service workers have earned a right to receive decent wages and benefits in order to improve their overall quality of life; and

WHEREAS, In current negotiations between the Building Operators Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR), representing the Philadelphia Building Owners and Managers Association, and SEIU Local 36 service workers, BOLR has proposed to reduce employee health care contributions by 50%, from $330 per month with no employee co-pay to $170 per month with a $30 employee co-pay; and

WHEREAS, The contract offer made by the BOLR represents a significant step backward in the spirit of this City Council’s legislative efforts to upgrade the wages and benefits of Philadelphia’s City workers. The City Council of Philadelphia has been a national leader in advancing legislation that has reaffirmed its commitments to prevailing wage standards, improved working conditions and other employee protections; and

WHEREAS, These negotiations affect 2,300 workers, all residents of the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, These negotiations will affect 36 janitorial workers in City Hall, former City of Philadelphia employees now under contract with Colin Services. These workers today earn 22% less per hour than what other SEIU union members earn, and they have been working without a pay raise since March 1, 1998; and

WHEREAS, Negotiations are continuing and both BOLR and the union are seeking to reach an amicable contract by October 14, 2000 the expiration of their current agreement; and

WHEREAS, On October 5, 2000 City Hall SEIU Local 36 members voted to authorize a workers strike if a mutually agreed accord with Colin Services is not reached; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Urges the Building Operators Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR) representatives of the Philadelphia Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) and Colin Services to negotiate with SEIU Local 36 and bargain in good faith in order to ensure that janitors, maintenance mechanics and engineers receive a fair contract that provides for decent wages accompanied with quality health and family benefits.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Building Operators Labor Relations, Inc. (BOLR), Colin Services and SEIU Local 36 as a representation of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End