PRIDE Industries Partners with SEIU USWW to Increase Wages for Sacramento Airport Custodians During Coronavirus Emergency

SACRAMENTO, CA – In recognition of the essential role custodians play to protect us all from the spread of COVID-19, PRIDE Industries and SEIU USWW have agreed to a $3.00 wage increase for team members who maintain the cleanliness of the Sacramento International Airport (SMF), bringing the minimum hourly rate to $16.25.

 

Roseville-based PRIDE Industries is one of the nation’s largest employers of people with disabilities, providing business and employment services to public and private sector employers nationally. This includes 89 custodial employees at SMF, which has been a PRIDE customer since 2011. SEIU USWW represents over 45,000 property service workers across California.

 

“PRIDE’s amazing custodial team provides a valuable service across the country to keep our communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said President Jeff Dern, PRIDE Industries. “The health and wellbeing of our employees is our top priority, and we’ve been diligent about putting safety measures in place for those team members who cannot work from home. With this raise, we want to show our gratitude to these mission-essential custodians during this unprecedented time. We’re proud of how our team has rallied to support our SMF customer and the essential travel needs of our community throughout this crisis.”

 

“We work hard to keep the airport safe for everybody. This raise will help a lot because it is a lot of pressure to cover rent and bills for my husband and our two daughters since he had his hours cut,” said Betty Rossiter, an SEIU USWW janitor working the overnight shift at the airport.

 

Airport facilities workers were deemed “essential critical infrastructure workers” by the California State Public Health Officer, as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s March 19 Executive Order N-33-20, directing all state residents to stay at home to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

 

All PRIDE custodial employees are trained on COVID-19 prevention, symptoms, and protocols. This includes personal protective equipment and the proper application of PRIDE’s proprietary cleaning system that eliminates the COVID-19 virus in as little as 30 seconds.

 

About SEIU USWW: SEIU United Service Workers West represents more than 45,000 janitors, security officers, airport service workers, and other property service workers across California. We are proud to be a part of the Service Employees International Union, an organization of 2.2 million members united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide and dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society.

 

About PRIDE Industries: PRIDE Industries, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, is one of the largest employers of people with disabilities, with expertise providing facility operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, and fulfillment services to public and private organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE creates paths to employment for people with disabilities through person-centered job coaching, training, and placement. PRIDE’s mission extends nationwide, assisting individuals to become self-sufficient, have a sense of purpose, contribute to their communities, and achieve their goals. For Business Services, learn more at prideindustries.com.

Media Contact
Kat Maudru

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.