SEIU 32BJ

32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the United States, representing more than 120,000 members. Its members are office cleaners, security officers, doormen, porters, maintenance workers, bus drivers and aides, window cleaners, school cleaners and food service workers. 32BJ is based in New York City, and operates in eight states and Washington, D.C. It is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union, a labor union representing over 2 million workers.

Composition

According to SEIU 32BJ's Department of Labor records since 2005, when membership classifications were first reported, around a quarter of the union's membership are considered part time.

History

Early Organizing

Between 1902 and 1920, attempts were made to form janitor’s unions, but disadvantages were overwhelming. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) chartered a few early janitor locals but remained chiefly concerned with more skilled trades.

In 1921, seven small local unions led by William F. Quesse of the Chicago Flat Janitors received an AFL charter as the Building Service Employees International Union. By 1928 BSEIU membership had grown to 7,000 members across 50 small locals, with most of the strength still centered in Chicago.