Pritchard Fires Janitor Just Days After She Speaks Out About Working without Pay

Pritchard Industries is standing in the way of good jobs for Houston families by refusing to bargain in good faith, reducing workers pay to minimum wage and now firing a janitor who reported wage theft

Olga Jaimes worked hard as a janitor, cleaning a Houston office building at night to buy a home and put her kids through college. Her family depended on her income, so for months she worked an extra hour unpaid every night because she was afraid if she didn’t, she’d lose her job.

Finally, Olga—who was only paid $7.75 an hour—had enough.  When she told her employer she would no longer work hours without pay, she was disciplined.  Just days after she spoke out about working without pay, Pritchard fired her.

“We’re worried about losing our house,” Olga says. “We’ve already talked about moving in with another family.”

Houston janitors are bargaining with their employers to secure a better future for their families and to help build a stronger economy that works for everyone.  Though they made progress when they won their first union contract in 2006, Houston janitors still live in poverty—bringing home just $12,000 a year with few benefits.

While most of the city’s cleaning contactors have been working with the janitors, one company—Pritchard Industries—has been playing games and refusing to negotiate with the janitors.  Pritchard Industries is actively blocking the path to the good jobs that Houston needs by failing to bargain with the janitors.

In a city with one of strongest economies in the country, cleaning contractors and other business leaders can and should do a lot more to support the good jobs that our economy needs.  Pritchard should be sitting down to work with the janitors to reach an agreement that benefits everyone, but instead Pritchard’s stalling is an obstacle to moving Houston’s economy forward.

Read more about Olga’s story.