Study Released Revealing Startling Data on Lower Life Expectancy Even in Upper Income Communities
On Thursday, April 5, 2012, over 200 union janitors, religious leaders and community members will be gathering at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, where members of San Diego’s religious community will be washing the feet of our hardworking janitors to draw attention to the impact of inequality of health for both working class and middle class families.
The janitors’ union, SEIU United Service Workers West (USWW), as part of their statewide campaign for a new contract expiring in 2012, released a study that demonstrates that with a better health care system people in middle-class families could live four years longer, and people would live five years longer.
Income inequality has taken center stage in the national discussion since the rise of the Occupy Movement. This second study in the “How Much is The 1% Holding Back Your Family?” series argues that the longer life expectancy of the extreme rich suggests that we can create a healthier California where everyone lives longer and more prosperous lives.
The foot-washing ceremony, which will take place at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, is a traditional ritual for the holy season and is intended to sway the hearts of building owners and managers to negotiate a contract that includes health coverage for workers and their families. Through the Interfaith Committee for Workers Justice in San Diego, Ministers, Priests, Rabbis, Imams and people of faith will participate in solidarity with workers and their families.
WHAT: Janitors, Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, Religious Leaders and Community Members.
WHEN: Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 12:00PM
WHERE: Good Samaritan Episcopal Church – 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121
WHO: Over 100 Union Janitors and 100 Religious Leaders and Community Members
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.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What a beautiful and appropriate way to celebrate Maundy Thursday.
Why stop at the washing? How about buying everybody a new pair of shoes made by U.S. union shops? I forgot, they are all defunct. Nevermind.
Hi,
secular rick here…religious stuff in labor actions is not a good idea…and this particular action is not helpful……this tactic is often turned into a strategy by labor councils to “moralize” work.
this labor council has failed to mobilize the ranks of all the unions into contract or strike support committees (Labor Power & UNITY) always at the ready to assist each other. that’s the way forward. no one knows this better than the boss. ,
plus, selected scriptures opens the door to needless debate ie swaggert, robertson, mother teresa (no friend to any woman’s right to abortion) and fortifies hopeless hope instead of actions by and for all members , ourselves,. prayers and candles don’t win negotiations or strikes and never will.
This just in: The San Diego bishop will be washing the feet of homeless people in Ocean Beach tomorrow.
Where: The Episcopal Church Center, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, in the courtyard
When: Thursday, April 5, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Why: To raise awareness about homelessness and to let our homeless population know they are not invisible; they are loved.
The bishop will wash the feet of homeless people and put new shoes and socks on them. We’ll also connect them with legal, medical and social services to help with permanent change in their lives.
Bishop Jim Mathes is available for comment; just email me if interested.