Tent City Outside 2000 Avenue of the Stars Enters Second Day as Janitors Continue to Protest Layoffs at JP Morgan Chase-Owned Building

CENTURY CITY, Calif., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Janitors who lost their jobs cleaning JPMorgan Chase-owned Century Plaza towers began a 72-hour fast and vigil today outside of 2000 Avenue of the Stars to draw attention to the deep inequity in our economy and the need for U.S. workers to take the fight for good paying jobs to where it belongs—at the doorstep of the Wall Street banks and big corporations responsible for the lack of good paying jobs.

"I am fasting so that the company can think conscientiously about what we do. I am sacrificing for my son because he deserves a better future," said Zoila Sosa, a janitor at 2000 Avenue of the Stars who was laid off.    

The towers, where Zoila works, are owned by JPMorgan Chase, one of the largest banking and investment companies in the world and are home to some of the most prestigious tenants from throughout the city. Despite paying out $9 billion in executive bonuses and receiving $95 billion in taxpayer-funded bailouts, JPMorgan is insisting on layoffs at their buildings.

"It's unjust the way they earn so much money. What I earn in one year they earn in five hours," said Rosa Mirna Cruz, who works at 2000 Avenue of the Stars. "How is that fair and how is that good for our country? They are leaving us and our families without food and without a way to pay for rent, and they are taking jobs away from our city. They get billions, and we struggle to survive. All we are asking is that they stop unfairly laying off workers."

The actions by the janitors illustrate the growing divide between Wall Street and the rest of America. JPMorgan Chase recently reported a 76 percent jump in profits in the last quarter. Meanwhile, 26 million Americans remain unemployed or underemployed, 1 out of every 8 mortgages is in default or foreclosure, and states and cities like Los Angeles teeter on the edge of bankruptcy.

"Tell me how it is a good idea to allow JPMorgan to take $95 billion of taxpayer money, pay themselves $9 billion in bonuses and then cut jobs that we need?" said USWW President Mike Garcia. "Someone has to hold companies like JPMorgan accountable for the havoc they create, and we are here today to do just that."  

Background:

Two weeks ago, custodial contractor ABM laid off 16 janitors who clean Century Plaza, owned by JP Morgan Chase and home to some of the richest tenants in Los Angeles.  Already struggling in a tough economy, the hardworking families affected by the layoffs are desperate, with no way to pay rent or put food on the table. In protest, 57 of their co-workers at Century Plaza spontaneously walked off the job. Those workers, who are not on strike, were suspended and are still out of work.

JP Morgan Chase is one of the largest banking and investment companies in the nation and the largest mortgage lender and holder of foreclosed properties in LA County.

SEIU United Service Workers West represents more than 40,000 janitors, security officers, airport service workers, and other property service workers across California. SEIU is the largest and fastest growing union in North America, with more than 2 million members.

SOURCE Service Employees International Union