Half a dozen members of the janitors union SEIU 32BJ held a rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris at American University’s Glover Gate less than a week before the election on Oct. 30.
Union members held signs that read “Honk for Kamala” and “SEIU supports Kamala Harris for president.” Multiple cars driving on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest honked in support of the rally.
Lucy Wallman, an employee of SEIU 32BJ, said the organization’s main goal for rallying was to raise visibility and “make sure our members get to participate, and make their voices known, especially where they work.”
“We represent 120 janitors at AU… we’re fighting for Kamala to win this election,” Wallman said. “That’s a fight we’re doing with our members and with these workers.”
Earlier this month, the janitors union won a new contract with increased wages and employer contributions to their health care and 401(k). The new contract includes an overall $6 hourly wage increase over the next five years for over 120 workers.
According to Wallman, one issue the union is concerned about in the upcoming election is creating a National Labor Relations Board that supports unions.
“In the history of organized labor, the thing that can often make or break campaigns is government opposition or support,” Wallman said. “If the government wants to put all its weight behind you not getting a contract, behind you not being able to organize workers, that can be the thing that cuts a campaign in its kneecap.”
Wallman also said there is concern about immigration policies. According to 2020 data from the American Immigration Council, one in seven D.C. residents are immigrants, while one in nine residents are U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent.
“This is predominantly black and brown union. A majority of our workers at this site are immigrants,” Wallman said. “And these workers are worried about their families. They're worried about their own status, and they are here every single day, doing work and keeping the city running, and they deserve, like, a fair chance at being in the U.S.”
This article was edited by Payton Anderson and Abigail Turner. Copy editing was done by Luna Jinks and Ariana Kavoossi.
