Zombie Protest at Pennzoil Place Highlights Need for Guaranteed Paid Sick Leave for Essential Janitors

Houston, Texas– Janitors dressed as zombies protested outside of Pennzoil Place yesterday to draw attention to the need for guaranteed paid sick days, particularly during a global pandemic, which are among the rights and benefits union janitors have won in Houston. Janitors at Pennzoil Place are no longer covered by a union contract because Transwestern, the company that manages the building, replaced a union contractor with a non-union contractor.

In addition, delegations of workers in Houston, San Francisco, and Philadelphia delivered letters signed by German elected leaders, activists and labor leaders, and by Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Green, Sylvia Garcia,  members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Philadelphia City Council asking the Mann family, who we believe are decision-makers for Pennzoil Place, to ensure the janitors who clean their buildings in the United States receive the recognition and respect they deserve.  

“Like our German counterparts,  we believe that our cities are stronger when workers are able to collectively bargain with their employers,”  the letter from the U.S. Representatives reads. “Therefore, we ask you to direct your property managers in the United States to hire responsible contractors who provide sick days, adequate PPE, and are signatories on a collective bargaining agreement.”

In 2020 many of the unionized workers lost their union jobs cleaning the iconic Pennzoil Place building which provided benefits like guaranteed paid sick days, job security, and a voice on the job when the company that manages the building replaced a union contractor with a non-union contractor.

In 2020 many of the unionized workers lost their union jobs cleaning the iconic Pennzoil Place building which provided benefits like guaranteed paid sick days, job security, and a voice on the job when the company that manages the building replaced a union contractor with a non-union contractor.

The majority of buildings in the central business district are cleaned by union contractors with the support of responsible real estate owners and developers. 

“The Mann family, who we believe own or have substantial control over Pennzoil Plaice, should use responsible contractors,” said SEIU Texas President Elsa Caballero, “with a proven track record of providing workers with guaranteed paid sick days, job security, and a process for workers to negotiate over wages and working conditions. All janitors deserve to be protected, respected, and paid well.”