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Janitors tell Modesto council SaveMart cut wages and benefits; union asks for city intervention
Summary
Janitors and SEIU organizers urged the Modesto City Council to press SaveMart to reinstate a union contractor after contracts were rebid, which workers say cut hourly pay from about $21 to the minimum wage (around $16.90) and eliminated health benefits.
Janitors, union leaders and organizers told the Modesto City Council on March 3 that a recent change in SaveMart’s janitorial contracting has slashed wages and stripped workers of family health benefits.
“They are now paying these workers minimum wage, which is currently $16.90 an hour,” Alex Garcia, a political organizer for SEIU United Service Workers West, said during the public-comment period, asking the council to speak with SaveMart and encourage the company to return to a union contractor.
The speakers—several of whom said they had cleaned Lucky/SafeMart stores for decades—said the previous contractor delivered hourly pay above $21, pensions and family healthcare. “We were essential employees during the pandemic,” Jesus Barios said, describing risk taken by janitors and urging the company to restore benefits.
SEIU representatives framed the issue as a community and economic concern, not solely a labor dispute. Mark Shwood, vice president of SEIU United Service Workers West, contrasted conditions at a nearby Safeway, where janitors reportedly retain contract protections including pension and health coverage, and said SaveMart’s decision to put janitorial work out to the lowest bidder harmed long-term employee welfare.
Council members expressed sympathy during their reports. Council member Alvarez noted that the city generally lacks legal authority to force a private company to use union labor unless public contracts, subsidies or land-use approvals are involved, but added the city can use its voice. Vice Mayor Williams and Council member Ricky said workers deserve a living wage and benefits.
There was no SaveMart representative at the meeting to respond. SEIU said it would provide council members with social media materials and is asking the city to engage SaveMart leadership.
Next steps: speakers asked council members to contact SaveMart leadership and to consider what leverage the city may have in cases where public contracts or approvals intersect with employment conditions. The council did not take formal action during the meeting on the janitors’ requests.
