32BJ SEIU Members Endorse Philip K. Stoddard for Mayor of South Miami
South Miami, FL – February 10, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — Property service workers, represented by 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SEIU), announced today its support of Mayor Phillip K. Stoddard for Mayor of South Miami.
“Mayor Stoddard is one of the strongest advocates for working South Floridians and the unique challenges we face. He is a visionary who will continue to lead on issues that affect us, including a living wage for workers, responsible contracting, and fighting climate change,” said Helen O’Brien, Florida Director for 32BJ SEIU. “Our members know that Mayor Stoddard will continue to fight for good jobs and strong communities.”
32BJ SEIU, whose members include security officers, janitors, and maintenance workers, has been fighting for a $15 minimum wage, access to quality affordable health care, as well as demanding that local governments require developers and contractors to raise standards for workers and local communities.
Recently, Stoddard stood firm with 32BJ members who cleaned the Shops at Sunset Place after they were let go by the mall’s new cleaning contractor, Coastal Building Maintenance (CBM), an anti-union company with a history of labor violations. The federal government is now investigating the company for discriminating against the workers because they were union members. Mayor Stoddard has publicly called for the workers to be hired back at the mall.
“I am a single mother who came to this country to make a better life for my family and myself,” said Isabel Dominguez a single mother and resident of South Miami who cleaned Sunset Place for 16 years. “Mayor Stoddard is a fighter like I am. I know he will continue to stand up for people like me.”
32BJ SEIU will be running a volunteer canvass to mobilize hundreds of households before the February 9 election.
SEIU represents 2.1 million members nationwide, including over 55,000 retired and active members who provide vital services across Florida in the Building Service, Health Care, Public Service sectors. With 145,000 members in eleven states, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
Ana Tinsly, 646-331-4765, amtinsly @seiu32bj.org
