"We are going to continue to fight for good full-time jobs," said Kurt Westby, president of SEIU Local 531, which represents janitors in Fairfield County. "There are no part-time grocery bills or rents. Janitors need good full-time jobs to survive."
Fairfield County janitors are trapped in low paid part-time jobs. Cleaning firms pay janitors only $6.15 per hour to work four-hour shifts each night. Without full-time work opportunities, janitors are forced to string together two or three part-time jobs to survive. The janitors began a county-wide strike on October 2.
Fairfield janitors have won support from other janitors across the country who have launched their own campaigns this year to win good full-time jobs. Janitors in Denver and Hartford won more full-time work opportunities. The Fairfield County janitors have also won support from a variety of community, religious, and political leaders. State politicians including Speaker Moira Lyons and House Majority Leader David Pudlin participated in a one day fast to show their support for six Fairfield county janitors who have launched a hunger strike. The hunger strikers have gone six days without food and vow to continue their fast until their employers agree to provide janitors with good full-time jobs.