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MPR News Staff

The story of organizing Twin Cities janitors

Pickets outside downtown Target store
Picketers organized by the Centro de Trabadores Unidos en la Lucha circled in front of the downtown Minneapolis Target store June 11, 2013, in support of a second strike by big-box retail store cleaners.
Tim Nelson | MPR News file

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Maricela Flores feared she would be fired the first time she went on strike.

Even though they were not a part of a union, Flores and three colleagues took that bold step.

Flores stood outside the Target store where she work seven days a week for $8 an hour, with no health care benefits or sick pay, protesting about poor work conditions.

She was tired of working two jobs just to pay the bills, and she wanted more for her and her colleagues — so she took the fight to her employers Target.

After a 44-month campaign, Flores succeeded in putting together a janitors union.

Next week, the union will begin its first negotiation with some big employers — Target, Macy's and Best Buy. Flores shared her story of bringing a janitor's union to the retailers.

Veronica Mendez, of Centro de Trabajadores Unidos En Lucha (CTUL), also joined the program.

To hear the entire story, select the audio player above.