The union-busting campaign by Clean Power, Madison’s largest cleaning contractor, has reached a new low.
The company is under increasing scrutiny after Clean Power janitors revealed that they were shown antiunion videos during their shifts in two State of Wisconsin office buildings late last year.
Up for question is whether its conduct will prohibit Clean Power from acquiring a lucrative new contract to clean state office buildings in the near future.
“Clean Power is being paid by the State of Wisconsin, using taxpayer dollars, to clean buildings, not to show workers antiunion videos during work hours,” said Leone Jose Bicchieri, lead organizer for SEIU Local 1’s Justice for Janitors campaign.
“In effect, Clean Power is using public funds to intimidate poor janitors who are simply trying to better their lives,” said Bicchieri. “This is not the type of conduct one would expect from a ‘socially responsible’ cleaning contractor.”
Bicchieri called it “ironic” and “audacious” that Clean Power would engage in such activity, particularly inside the State Labor Building (GEF-1) and the Risser Justice Center.
Janitors Speak Out
Clean Power employee Nick Travanty said information given janitors at the Risser Justice Center strictly endorsed the company’s antiunion agenda. “The video spoke of the negative aspects of labor unions and never of the positive contributions unions have made in our communities."
Travanty said he felt compelled to raise the issue because, “Clean Power used my time on the clock to promote its business interests and oppose our efforts to improve our livelihoods."
Yeshi Jinpa, a Clean Power janitor at the State Labor Building (GEF-1) said the antiunion video was shown in both Spanish and English. "I feel that Clean Power showed us the video because the company does not want us to join the union."
American Family Insurance recently ordered Clean Power to stop showing the same antiunion videos at the insurance company’s headquarters, and the company also lost its cleaning contract at CUNA Mutual recently.
The State of Wisconsin recently reorganized its cleaning contracts and opened competitive bidding on a consolidated contract for 15 state office buildings in Madison. Contractors have until April 3 to finalize their bids for the contract which could begin as early as July 1.
Can Clean Power Meet New Standards?
Until now, such contracts have generally been awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. However, standards in the new contract now specify, among other things, that cleaning contractors must abide by socially responsible guidelines, including recognizing workers’ right to organize, says Bicchieri. Qualified contractors will also be ranked on wages, benefits, and the number of full-time workers – factors the state recognizes as helpful to ensuring a dedicated and stable workforce.
State employee union members who have been monitoring the situation with Clean Power are encouraged by the recent developments.
“Local 145 was impressed by the State’s recent Request for Proposal (RFP) for renewal of contracting out janitorial services in state office buildings,” wrote AFSCME Local 145 president Peter Nowicki, in a recent letter to Department of Worforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman. “It included such language as recognizing the right to bargain collectively and utilization of full time employees, thus placing the State and DWD in the forefront of assuring fair wages and working conditions for its contractors.”
Bicchieri questions Clean Power’s ability to meet the new requirements. “Clean Power’s antiunion stance, substandard working conditions, and lack of full-time employment opportunities seems to put the company at odds with standards the State of Wisconsin is looking for. I don’t know how they can be deemed qualified for this work if they look at the company’s record.”
Area union leaders agree. “Clean Power has a contract to clean state buildings, not to pay workers to watch anti-union propaganda,” says SCFL president Jim Cavanaugh. “After this kind of abuse of taxpayer property, I don't know how the state could justify awarding Clean Power another cleaning contract.”