More than 600 janitors protested in Santa Monica on Thursday, calling for health insurance for all working families in Los Angeles.
They accuse the Mani Brothers, the building owners of 1401 Ocean Blvd., of replacing union janitors who had employer-paid family health insurance with janitors who have no insurance and are paid minimum wage.
Mani Brothers representatives declined to comment. Janitors Union #8217 went on strike in 2000 to secure their benefits but the contract expires on May 1. Janitors throughout L.A. are currently negotiating a new union contract to win decent wages and maintain their health insurance.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 25, 2003. Read the original PDF.