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Janitors at Aurora Mall Uniting for Justice Janitors at the Town Center of Aurora, owned by Simon Property Group have begun organizing for better pay and working conditions.  Employed by Federal Building Services, which is a subcontract of Varsity Contractors, most janitors at Town Center of Aurora make only $7.00 per hour, with no access to affordable health care.

Janitors at the Town Center of Aurora, owned by Simon Property Group have begun organizing for better pay and working conditions.  Employed by Federal Building Services, which is a subcontract of Varsity Contractors, most janitors at Town Center of Aurora make only $7.00 per hour, with no access to affordable health care. On July 26, 2006 more than 60 workers and community members gathered in front of the Town Center at Aurora to protest the working conditions of janitors at the mall and to ask that Simon Property Group contract with a responsible cleaning company that will provide workers with a living wage.

[PHOTO CREDIT: Cristina Fresquez, courtesy of El Seminario]

National Campaign to Unite Mall Workers

Workers at Simon malls in a number of cities are working with SEIU to address working conditions and improve their lives.  Contract workers employed to provide security, maintenance and cleaning services in malls in Miami, Long Island, San Diego, Indianapolis, Aurora, and other cities are calling attention to health and safety concerns, poor employment standards, and other community issues related to malls and shopping centers.  For more information please visit Inside Malls.

Industry statistics indicate that malls are trending toward becoming more closely integrated into their surrounding communities by redeveloping into “lifestyle centers,” offering residential living spaces, neighborhood services like dry cleaning, and retail shops. However, the use of irresponsible service contractors who pay near poverty wages and do not provide workers with health insurance at these new developments could undermine the relationship that many mall owners are seeking to build with local communities that depend on good jobs.