Houston Janitors were present at a conference call today organized by the SEIU to lead a rally/press conference announcing a huge and successful union drive in Houston. Julius Getman, a noted labor law professor at University of Texas, has called the janitors' effort "the largest unionization campaign in the South in years."

We listened in on the conference call and the thing that impressed us the most was to see workers enthusiastic and hopeful. Something we haven't seen from any workforce in a long time.

So very Norma Rae! Union! How unexpected. Read the release after the jump.

5,300 Houston Janitors Form Union with SEIU; Join Janitors across the Country to Achieve the American Dream

Victory Builds Momentum for New Movement for Better Jobs in Texas and Throughout the South and Southwest

HOUSTON - Seeking a shot at the American Dream, more than 4,700 Houston janitors have chosen to unite in the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), capping one of the largest successful organizing drives by
private sector workers ever in the Southern half of the United States. The janitor's decision was certified late Tuesday by the independent American Arbitration Association (AAA).

In addition, 600 additional janitors today initiated a process of union certification, meaning within days, the total number of janitors who have chosen SEIU will increase to 5,300 - workers for five companies that clean more than 70 percent of Houston's commercial office space.

"We work hard, but we don't make enough to support our families and we can't afford health care for our children," said janitor Maria Luisa Berlanga. "If we can do this, then all workers in Houston can unite for a better life. Every worker wants to achieve the American Dream."

The decision by Houston janitors adds fuel to a new movement of working people in Texas. Saying they want to rekindle the American Dream for their families and their communities, nearly 20,000 more Texas workers are now forming a union with SEIU and could decide to join the union in the coming months.

"Working people all across Texas struggle to food on their family table," said John Dudley, SEIU member and janitor in the San Antonio Police Department. "This is not right. Working men and women should be able to support
their families."

The janitors who clean Houston's office buildings have the lowest wages and benefits of any big city in America, earning an average of $106 a week. They do not receive health insurance or other benefits. Nearly the entire workforce is part-time. According to the Center for Public Policy Priorities in Austin, average expenses, including food, housing, transportation, child care and other necessities, for a Houston-area family with two parents and two children are nearly $500 a week.

The Houston janitors chose SEIU by signing cards and submitting them to the AAA, which certified that a majority at each of four companies had chosen SEIU. The janitors work for the companies ABM, OneSource, GCA, and Sanitors.

Janitors at a number of other companies in Houston also have signed cards saying they want to be represented by SEIU and hope to join their colleagues soon.

There are an estimated 7,000 janitors total in the greater Houston area.

What's Next

The janitors and their employers will begin bargaining in the coming weeks over one area-wide "master" contract. The janitors already have assembled "Broom Teams" to unite behind winning a good contract.

A union contract for janitors could provide access to health care for thousands of Houston workers, easing the burden on the city's public health system and lowering health costs for taxpayers and businesses.

City of San Antonio and Bexar County employees also have started to join together to win improvements, ensure reliable public services, and gain a greater voice on the job. The San Antonio city employees won a pay raise of 4.5 percent for civilian city workers while stopping the city from increasing their health care costs. They cited poor rates of retention that degraded city services during this summer's budget hearings.

"We are really building a movement for all the working people of Texas," said Rose Araujo-Murray, SEIU member and 911 operator in the San Antonio Police Department. "Working families need a voice on the job and in our
communities to raise our standard of living. Together we can do it."

With more than 1.8 million members overall, including more than 225,000 janitors and more than 850,000 public service employees, SEIU (Service Employees International Union) is the nation's largest union and the
nation's largest union of property services workers. With the support of community, religious, and elected leaders, janitors in 29 cities throughout the United States have united in SEIU as part of the national
movement called "Justice for Janitors."