Edwards, Hoffa rally for UM janitors National political figures John Edwards and James P. Hoffa delivered moral support and media exposure to a rally for striking UM janitors. Miami Herald April 26, 2006

Coalition of clergy embraces UM strikers An interfaith coalition of clergy has joined hands, literally and figuratively, with University of Miami janitors on strike. Miami Herald April 25, 2006

Anger Rises on Both Sides of Strike at University of Miami Outside the University of Miami's main entrance, six janitors and five students continued their hunger strike on Monday, with several asserting that the university's president, Donna Shalala, was a union-buster. New York Times April 18, 2006

Union leader finds the spotlight For many, homegrown union leader Hiram Ruiz is the face of the SEIU in Miami. His efforts to organize janitors offer a glimpse into union life. Miami Herald April 16, 2006

Union vs. University of Miami Two important figures in the Democratic Party -- Service Employees International Union President Andrew L. Stern and University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala -- are at loggerheads in a fight to organize janitors at the university. The Washington Post April 16, 2006

Miami's Shalala asked to act in janitor clash Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, called Thursday for Donna Shalala, president of the University of Miami, to step into a dispute between a janitorial firm that serves the university and its workers. Chicago Tribune April 14, 2006

No end in sight as hunger strike continues The struggle of UNICCO workers to unionize has escalated even further with two striking workers hospitalized over the weekend, and demonstrators gathered outside the Ashe building on Tuesday and Wednesday. Miami Hurricane April 14, 2006

Ex-Aide to Clinton Is at the Center Of Labor Dispute A hunger strike by eight janitors at the University of Miami is entering its 10th day with no signs of a breakthrough in the standoff between the workers, who are seeking union recognition, and the former Clinton administration official who serves as president of the university, Donna Shalala. New York Sun April 14, 2006

Shalala pressed on labor dispute Donna E. Shalala, the University of Miami president and a former Clinton administration official, is under increasing pressure from former congressional Democrats to intervene in a dispute between janitors and the contractor for which they work. Washington Times April 14, 2006

UM protests strike pressure tactics The University of Miami resisted pressure to intervene in unionizing Unicco, the cleaning contractor for striking janitors. Miami Herald April 13, 2006

Students Join In U.M. Workers' Hunger Strike Hunger Strikers Continue Eighth Day Of Protest NBC6.net April 12, 2006

Protests continue on UM campus More than 200 people, mostly union supporters and striking janitorial workers, gathered outside the University of Miami's main administration building this afternoon, demanding to be allowed inside to speak to school president Donna Shalala. Miami Herald April 12, 2006

Janitors' strike spreads As the janitors' strike spreads to Nova Southeastern, Unicco Services sent a letter to the union offering several compromises regarding the labor dispute that is entering its seventh week. Miami Herald April 11, 2006

Two Workers Hospitalized During Hunger Strike At UM Protesters Haven't Eaten In Six Days NBC6.net April 10, 2006

UM Janitor Crisis Escalates To ‘Hunger’ Strike First they had a protest to get higher wages and benefits, then they shut down busy US1 in hopes of setting their own terms for creating a union, but Wednesday University of Miami janitors were staging what they call a hunger strike to bring attention to their negotiations. CBC4.com April 5, 2006

UM to raise wages of janitors, groundskeepers by at least 25 percent University of Miami will raise the minimum wages of its contract employees, including striking janitors and groundskeepers, by at least 25 percent, according to a new policy that will apply to about 900 workers. Miami Herald March 16, 2006

Strike is about hope for healthcare and better pay Ask us, the janitors who clean the University of Miami, what this strike is about -- and we will tell you. Hope. We have been hoping for change for a long time. Hoping that UNICCO, the company we work for, would raise our pay or provide us with health insurance. But there comes a time when hope is not enough. Miami Herald March 15, 2006

Opinion: Shalala's silence I join my voice with my colleague in ministry, Bishop Felipe de Jesús Estévez of the Archdiocese of Miami, who on March 5 publicly called upon University of Miami President Donna Shalala and the Service Employees International Union leadership to find a peaceful solution to the labor struggle at UM. Miami Herald March 14, 2006

Priest offers to mediate UM strike A high-ranking Catholic priest on Sunday offered to broker negotiations between the striking University of Miami janitors, their employer, Unicco, and University of Miami President Donna Shalala. Miami Herald March 6, 2006

A growing force in Shalala's home garden Thursday, the men who tend Donna Shalala's garden joined the picket line. ''This is nothing against Señora Shalala,'' said Pedro Vale, 52, who makes $8.50 an hour. ``She's very nice, very decent. But if there's anything she can do, whatever is in her power, we'd be very grateful to her.'' Miami Herald March 4, 2006

UM janitors' strike turns park into classroom On Thursday, Day Two of University of Miami janitors' strike, professors who refused to cross the picket lines on campus had to find new classrooms: in churches, temples, houses and the little park off Grenada Boulevard and U.S. 1. Miami Herald March 3, 2006

UNICCO strikes 'Fight for a living wage' reaches boiling point The Hurricane March 3, 2006

Campus custodians go on strike at University of Miami CORAL GABLES - Janitors at the University of Miami's Coral Gables campus went on strike Wednesday demanding higher wages and health care benefits. About half of the campus' 200 janitors were on strike, including workers who clean dorms, classrooms and athletic facilities, said Renee Asher, a spokeswoman for Service Employees International Union, which is helping workers stage the strike. Bradenton Herald March 2, 2006

UM janitors prepare for limited strike Janitors at the University of Miami will begin a strategic strike to demand higher wages and benefits. Miami Herald March 1, 2006

Fired University of Miami janitor leads strike over benefits CORAL GABLES -- For four years, Zoila Mursuli toiled in the shadows, scrubbing toilets, sweeping floors and emptying trash on the graveyard shift at the University of Miami. Her job came with no health benefits and paid just $6.70 an hour, which ranks among the lowest wages for university janitors in the nation. Then last week, she was fired after talking to the Orlando Sentinel about her efforts to organize a strike among her fellow UM maintenance workers.. Orlando Sentinel March 1, 2006

While Shalala lives in luxury, janitors struggle Ms. Shalala: No one is going to begrudge you your 29-foot motorboat or Sweetie's four beds. But for God's sake, get these people health insurance and a dignified wage. The bare minimum, that's all they're asking. Miami Herald March 1, 2006

UM to review worker wages, perks The University of Miami said it will review pay and benefits for its contract workers just days before a strike authorization vote. Miami Herald February 24, 2006

Labor Board's Detractors See a Bias Against Workers The rulings of the National Labor Relations Board have poured out one after another in recent months, with many decisions tilting in favor of employers. New York Times January 2, 2006

Janitors complain of toxic exposure Janitors at UM filed a safety complaint against university contractor UNICCO, saying they are getting sick from the chemicals they use on the job. Miami Herald December 23, 2005

Dangerous Work; Clean up at UM and you just might get burned "I've only worked there for about five months. I was in good health when I started working there but now I'm sick." Miami New Times December 22, 2005

Union Boosters University of Miami students, better known for cheering sports teams than riling administrators, are putting unprecedented pressure on President Donna Shalala to improve conditions for about 400 janitors who struggle with low wages and no health insurance. Miami Herald December 20, 2005

Living wages campaign faces new obstacles Since the speakout on the Rock that kicked off the campaign for better wages and working conditions for UNICCO workers on Sept. 14, Students Towards a New Democry (STAND) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have seen increased support from students and workers alike, as seen during a second speakout at the Episcopal Center on Thursday. The Hurricane Online October 11, 2005

Janitors and landscape workers gathered at the University of Miami to pressure their Boston-based employer to provide health benefits About 25 workers gathered Thursday on the University of Miami campus to protest the wages and lack of health benefits with the company that does janitorial and landscaping work for the university. Miami Herald October 7, 2005

Window washer in Burlington plunges 65 feet to his death A window washer was killed and another injured in a 65-foot fall off a Burlington office building, police and their employer said. The Boston Herald June 9, 2005

2 Window Washers Die In Fall After Rigging Slips Despite frantic rescue efforts by an endodontist, construction workers, and medical personnel, two window washers died yesterday after their rigging gave way and they fell an estimated 60 feet to the brick pavement in Pemberton Square in downtown Boston. The Boston Globe May 16, 2003

2 window washers die in fall Two window washers plunged to a gruesome death yesterday when their safety lines failed, crashing them onto the pavement and horrifying a deli breakfast crowd outside Two Center Plaza. The Boston Herald May 16, 2003

How Much Should Colleges Pay Their Janitors? It is not just Harvard University, the site of a major sit-in during the spring, that gives low pay to its custodial workers.Other colleges are paying wages that are below the poverty level, or contracting the work out to companies that pay only the prevailing wage. The Chronicle of Higher Education August 31, 2001