Going for Green: Calif. Janitors Keep Pushing for Safety Standards

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/5136/going_for_green_calif._janitors_keep_pushing_for_safety_standards/

Thursday November 5 10:16 am

By R.M. Arrieta

As we reported two weeks ago, janitors of SEIU Local 1877 continue to call attention to the need for “green” cleaning standards at Safeway, Lucky’s and Save-Mart supermarkets in Northern California.

The Service Employees International Union has been collecting testimony from workers who say they’ve been affected by the harsh chemicals in the cleaners they use.

In October, Local 1877 proposed that the stores adopt green standards and replace toxic cleaners with environmentally-friendly Green Seal-certified cleaning products, safety training, goggles, masks and gloves to protect workers.

So far, there’s been no movement on the part of supermarkets and their contractors to make the change.

Martha Aragon has worked as a janitor at Safeway in Roseville for the past three years. According to her testimony, she cleans, sweeps, mops and polishes the market floors, Deli and Butcher counters, break rooms, offices and bathrooms by herself.

Aragon says she mixes strong cleaning chemicals with hot water to mop the floor and operate the floor stripper. When she uses these chemicals her sinuses become irritated and her nose starts to run and itch.

FULL story at link.