On this day in Labor History the year was 1990.
About 400 janitors were protesting at Century City, a large office complex in Los Angeles.
It was part of SEIU’s Justice for Janitors campaign in LA.
The janitors had gone out on strike against International Service Systems.
The strike had started on May 30 and despite promises that they would not interfere with the protest, the LAPD showed up wielding batons.
They demanded the janitors immediately vacate the premises.
But Instead of dispersing, the protestors linked arms.
In a show of solidarity they marched toward the 150 police dressed in riot gear.
Police responded by savagely beat protestors, clubbing people on the ground as they tried to stand back up.
One demonstrator who was three months pregnant suffered a miscarriage caused by the police beating.
The media recorded the brutal attack.
Coverage spurred outrage at the actions of the police that day.
It also made the janitors more determined than ever to win a contract.
Public pressure resulted in new contract with a $2 per hour raise for the janitors.
They also won family health coverage.
SEIU filed suit over the police conduct. Three years later the LA City Council awarded the union $2.35 million, but the police did not have admit guilt for the attack.
200 janitors gathered on the steps of city hall, to await the settlement decision.
Joel Vasquez, one of the janitors who says he was beaten, addressed the crowd.
"The people who are supposed to protect us didn't. They beat us,"
Today has become a day of commemoration of the Janitors struggle.
In 2011, 1,000 janitors gathered in LA to remember that past victory and rally for economic justice.
One marcher carried a sign that read, “What’s Dignity?: New shoes for my daughter. A birthday party for my son.”
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Labor History in 2:00 brought to you by the Illinois Labor History Society and The Rick Smith Show