The rally was organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and was part of a “Justice for Janitors” conference organized by the union, which represents about 200,000 janitors across the country.

The Building Owners and Managers Association of Houston (BOMA) has accused the SEIU of disseminating false information and creating false hopes among the workers about what winning a union would mean.

Janitors fighting to organize, however, see it differently. “In the 26 years I have worked as a janitor in Houston, I have never received a raise,” Berta Rodríguez told the rally. “I can’t afford to live on that wage. If I have to visit a doctor because of my blood pressure, I have to pay for it out of my own pocket.”

The comments of Rodríguez and those of other speakers supporting the organizing drive received loud applause from the audience, which included hundreds of local janitors as well as supporters from a variety of organizations.

Brian Williams, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of Houston, joined the rally in solidarity with the janitors and spoke with several of the workers there. “Your efforts to organize the thousands of workers who clean buildings in Houston are important for all working people,” Williams said. “We need to organize and strengthen unions.” He told the janitors that some of his co-workers in the garment shop where he works also hold second jobs as janitors. “I support your organizing drive. This is why I am running for mayor along with Anthony Dutrow for city controller. We side with the workers organizing against the Building Owners and Managers Association and their city and state governments.”

The rally, which took place at Houston’s George R. Brown convention center, ended with a short demonstration that marched through the streets of downtown.  
 
 
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