"Strike by San Diego Airport janitors averted by mediation"

Friday, May 21, 2004

Strike by airport janitors averted by mediation 
The San Diego (CA) Union Tribune


SAN DIEGO - A strike by janitors at San Diego International Airport was
narrowly averted today when a federal mediator was able to bring both
sides back to the negotiating table, union officials said. 

Federal mediator Joe Mansolillo negotiated a "cooling off" period
between the Service Employees International Union Local 1877, which
represents the airport's 126 janitors, and Service Performance Corp.,
which handles janitorial duties at the airport. 

The airport janitors voted 81-6 earlier this week to strike at 10 p.m.
if no agreement was reached. 

The two sides agreed to continue negotiations over the next three weeks.


"We are grateful to the mediator for his work in preventing what we have
always felt was an avoidable labor dispute, and look forward to
bargaining, with his assistance, a fair contract for our members who
work hard to clean San Diego's airport," said Mike Wilzoch, San Diego's
director of SEIU Local 1877. 

The dispute centers on SPC's offer of a five-year contract, which
includes no health insurance and a three-tiered pay system for new
workers, the union said. The union asked for a short-term contract with
raises and a chance to win health insurance benefits next year. 

A union demonstration, planned for Tuesday outside the airport's
Terminal 2, is still scheduled.


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