Janitors at the Park Meadows Mall won national coverage of their one-day strike for civil rights on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The strike at the suburban Denver mall, which is owned by General Growth Properties, was part of a wave of protests at more than 20 GGP malls nationwide.

The Park Meadows janitors struck to protest the threats and intimidation they’ve faced for more than a year while working to form a union. “Every worker needs liberty on the job so that we can speak up and make things better for working people and our neighborhoods and communities,” said Roberto Aragón, a Park Meadows janitor.

The cleaning contractor that employs the janitors, the Millard Group, was roughed up in a number of stories about the strike, including this article on CNNMoney’s website as well as local TV coverage on Fox 31 and Univision.

The Park Meadows janitors received strong support from the community at an afternoon rally that climaxed the strike. Speakers included Scott Kwasny, director of Colorado Jobs with Justice, and the Rev. Malcolm Himschoot of the United Church of Christ.

The janitors returned to work without incident Wednesday and are continuing their fight for justice. To learn more, go to: www.insideggpmalls.org.

With the opening of negotiations, community members and workers will meet again to continue support for full time jobs that can support a family with health care and a livable wage.

Where: 17th and Arapahoe
When: 3:30 PM, May 22

Call 303.478.0900 for more information.

Here is some footage from our last event: