Houston's Catholic Archbishop Emeritus speaks in support of striking janitors

July 31, 2012
By: Marc Pembroke

On Tuesday July 31 at Council's regularly scheduled public comment session, Catholic Archbishop Emeritus Msgr. Joseph Florenza spoke in support of striking janitors along with three of the strikers who cited police harassment. Several dozen others attended in support of the issue.

Janitors in Houston have been on strike for nearly two months since their contract expired on May 31 2012 primarily seeking higher wages. Because the strike concerns private commercial property owners, government officials do not have a direct role in the resolution of the matter. Nevertheless, a growing number of elected officials have spoken in support of the strikers, including Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D TX 18) of Houston, State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-13 ), Mayor Annise Parker, and several members of City Council. Most stood reverently as the archbishop spoke and underscored the plight of the workers who perform important services, usually after hours and without notice or recognition of most other citizens. He urged the council to express it's solidarity with the movement.

Council members asked the archbishop to elaborate further on his view of the role of civil disobedience in view of the arrival of supporters from outside of Houston. Several thanked the bishop for his support and expressed hope that his voice might attract the attention of the contractors and building owners who consider the union demand for a wage hike unreasonable

http://www.examiner.com/article/houston-s-catholic-archbishop-emeritus-speaks-support-of-striking-janitors