On May 1, as millions of immigrant workers marched for their rights in May Day rallies across the US, an agreement was signed at the University of Miami giving hundreds of low-waged janitors the right to form a union. The agreement followed two-months of strike action, hunger strikes, and an outpouring of support from students and campus staff. According to Eliseo Medina, executive vice-president of the Service Employees International Union, “Something special is happening in America. The hard work immigrants do to achieve the American dream is starting to be recognized from north to south. The Miami janitors are showing that when workers stand up, their voices can be heard.” UM janitor Maritza Paz said: “What we’ve done in Miami to unite workers with students and faculty can work on college campuses everywhere.”

From Green Left Weekly, May 10, 2006.
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