Massachusetts Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy expressed disappointment and frustration at a press conference last Friday with UNICCO’s actions toward the more than 10,000 janitors it employs to clean the city’s buildings.

Flanked by 15 representatives of the Service Employees International Union who wore bright purple shirts emblazoned with “Justice for Janitors,” Kennedy urged UNICCO, the cleaning contractor hired by many of Boston’s building owners, to act fairly and decently in the treatment of its employees.

“The janitors are looking for fairness,” Kennedy stated emphatically. “Men and women working should be given a livable wage … I call on UNICCO to treat these men and women fairly and decently.”

Initiated in Denver in 1985 by the SEIU to help working janitors secure better wages, job security and benefits, the “Justice for Janitors” campaign gained momentum in Boston a few months ago following victories along the east coast and in Cambridge.

According to the “Justice for Janitors” campaign, janitors in Boston earn as little as $39 per day and are limited to four-hour shifts. This standard falls far below those set in other large cities such as New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago that share a similarly high cost of living. The city’s janitors also do not receive benefits and have minimal access to affordable health insurance with only one in four employees insured, the union reports. With many janitors working two or three jobs, they are fighting for full-time positions, increased wages, and health benefits.

Boston’s janitors began campaigning this summer for a new contract with cleaning companies, the largest being UNICCO. UNICCO has responded with staunch opposition, rejecting any movement toward the union’s goals, and they broke off negotiations with the janitors on Sept. 10. With a strike date set for Sept. 30, the janitors are appealing to building owners and the city’s leaders to put pressure on the company.

Recently, the campaign has received increased attention from both students and legislators.

In their meeting with the janitors last Friday, both Kennedy and Senator John Kerry emphasized their support for the janitors. In the press conference that followed the meeting, Kennedy spoke ardently about the issue, saying this is much more than a simple labor dispute.

“These 15 members have 33 children between them,” he said. “This is an issue about children … this is a civil rights issue. This is an issue about fairness.”

Kerry agreed, adding, “This movement is about justice and fairness. Working the same job in different cities, janitors get a better wage, better compensation. But Boston does not live up to this standard.”

Speaking in Spanish with a translator, Luz Portillo, a janitor at International Place, said she was fighting in the name of 1,000 fellow workers to improve the current situation. She works two jobs to support her two daughters and recently was forced to spend a day’s wages on a doctor’s visit for her oldest daughter. She lives in an apartment with six others in order to afford Boston’s high rents.

Cesar German, also a janitor, expressed gratitude toward the senators and their support.

“They are very interested in our cause,” he said. “Senator Kennedy knew about the sentiments the janitors face in Massachusetts. He understands that if you’re only making $39 a day, it’s very hard to maintain a family, especially when you’re using that money for child care.”

Though no negotiations with UNICCO are scheduled, SEIU is ready to talk. Rocio Saenz, deputy trustee of Local 254, said she hoped building owners would step up and put pressure on the company to prevent the strike scheduled at the end of this month. The janitors also intend to target building owners, hoping pressure from both the senators and the community on the cleaning contractor will force them into action.

Unwilling to compromise or give up, German said they would continue to fight for their goals. “We will last until the end.”