Janitors protest layoffs and "corporate excess"

SAN JOSE, CA — Janitors gathered outside the headquarters of Cisco Systems Inc. to protest the layoff of roughly half of the custodial staff in recent months, according to KPIX-TV.


The protest is part of a nation-wide movement organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to fight what they call "corporate excess," the story stated.


The political director for SEIU Local 1877, the union representing the 75 laid-off janitors, said: "It's not like Cisco is closing whole buildings. The janitors still have the same amount of work, but now with half the workforce, and they just can't do the same quality job."


The janitors working in the Cisco Systems facility are employees of American Building Maintenance Industries Inc. (ABM) and are contracted to work for Cisco, the story noted.


Cisco's janitors receive wages and health care benefits below what janitors at most major Silicon Valley technology companies receive, the story added.