Protest activities directed against cleaning contractors at 20 General Growth Properties malls nationwide

Littleton, Colorado--Low-wage mall janitors at Park Meadows Mall in Littleton, Colorado, and Southland Mall in Hayward, California, are walking off the job today to protest unfair labor practices committed by the Millard Group, which cleans malls owned by General Growth Properties, the nation's second largest mall owner. The walk-out coincides with protest activities against cleaning contractors at more than 20 GGP malls nationwide.

Freedom is as American as apple pie," says Roberto Aragn, a Millard janitor at GGP's Park Meadows Mall. "Every worker needs liberty on the job so that we can speak up and make things better for working people and our neighborhoods and communities."

According to the charges filed this week with the National Labor Relations Board, pro-union employees of Millard at Park Meadows and Southland have suffered illegal surveillance, intimidation, reduction of hours, and even termination for having spoken out in favor of their union. During a 25-person peaceful midday delegation to Southland's management office on November 1, 2007, janitors and their supporters were beaten, pepper-sprayed and racially insulted while speaking out against similar rights abuses.

Since June of 2007, contract janitors at more than 20 GGP malls nationwide have been working with SEIU to defend their freedom to choose a voice at work by forming a union, without management interference. By forming a union, workers have a fair way to solve problems on the job and can work for the reliable services and good jobs with healthcare our communities need.

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