Silicon Valley Janitors Strike Back With Dirty Toilets For Yahoo Cisco HP And More

Friendly advice: Do not go to the bathroom inside Silicon Valley tech companies buildings starting Tuesday May 20th 2008. Something stinks. Until the Service Employees International Union Local 1877 workers come to an agreement in Silicon Valley, janitors strike back with dirty toilets for Yahoo, Cisco, HP, and more.

The union is speaking out for janitors rights – there is a union for everything. The SEIU Local 1877 is emphasizing that janitors in San Jose are earning a measly $11 per hour compared to their New York brethren who are earning $20 per hour, and the janitors complain they are subject to long waits to be eligible for healthcare insurance.

Dumb Quote From the Striking Silicon Valley Janitors Union

Mike Garcia, president of the SEIU Local 1877 said:

”Corporations need to do the right thing.”

eFluxMedia.com mentioned that Yahoo, Cisco, and HP have no comment on the striking janitors, but the San Francisco Chronicle got a quote from Dave Miller, spokesman for Applied Materials that does the rebuttal work for us on the dumb quote above:

”it is ultimately an issue that needs to be solved between the union and the employer contractors.”

Let's hear it for Dave Miller. How about a raise from Applied Materials! Exactly. What do the corporations have to do with your terrible negotiation skills Mr. Garcia?

So let us take a look at what the union wants for the janitors. Well, the janitors demand an extra $1.60 an hour over a four year period – less than in other places in the country, Mike Garcia adds. Thanks again from Camp Garcia.

What the janitors really need is a president in the union who knows how to make a point, make some noise, and offer real numbers and statements.

So of course you want to know if this is a bunch of whining. Well the cost of living and pay between Silicon Valley janitors and New York janitors is below.

Does It Really Stink. Kinda.

According to BankRate.com cost of living comparison calculator, if you are making $20.00 an hour or approximately $41,600.00 a year in New York City (Manhattan) and move to San Jose, the self-proclaimed capital of Silicon Valley, you may take a 22.61% decrease in salary and still maintain your standard of living. The 22.61 percent decrease in cost of living equates to $32,195.81 a year or approximately $15.48 an hour.