One of the key factors in recent labor contract negotiations with 650 supermarket janitors who work for the grocery store chains Save Mart and Safeway in Northern California is green cleaning standards including safer cleaning products.
From Supermarket News:
“The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1877, which is negotiating with Save Mart Supermarkets and four service contractors employed by Safeway, cites an internal survey showing that conventional cleaning products used by the supermarket janitors have caused them to suffer from a variety of ailments, including skin irritations, respiratory difficulties and possible long-term health problems. The union has proposed that employers commit to the use of “environmentally friendly chemicals” certified by non-profit group Green Seal. Last week, about 50 janitors staged demonstrations outside of two Safeway stores here, calling on Safeway’s janitorial contractors to implement green cleaning standards.”
Although the store chains have had no past medical claims from the janitors directly linked to the use of harsh chemical cleaning products, the janitors are using their health as a bargaining tool. They marched in front of stores carrying signs reading “no green cleaning, no contract”. No doubt the chains feel this is just a gimmick to build customer sympathy, but the janitors seem very serious.
In my office they use a line called Citra Solv they’re all natural cleaning products and they smell so good, every morning before I start work I take in a deep breath and it’s lovely.