Labor talks continue to settle janitors strike in Los Angeles

[Omaha Steve]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/10/content_8138808.htm

LOS ANGELES, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Talks between building owners and union leaders in Los Angeles will continue through the weekend to settle a janitors strike that would affect many of the city's commercial buildings, officials said Friday.

Striking janitors have agreed to go back to work under a "cooling-off" period negotiated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, according to a union official.

Villaraigosa held what he called a "fruitful meeting" with union leaders and building owners Thursday in a bid to prevent the newly declared strike from spreading.

"It's in all of our best interests to find a fair and fast resolution that protects the working families and meets the needs of businesses in L.A.," said the Los Angeles mayor, who was once a labor organizer.

Hundreds of janitors at 20 buildings in Los Angeles' Westside district walked off their jobs Wednesday night after contract talks with building owners broke off earlier in the day.

The contract between the janitors union and building owners expired on April 30, but was extended last week until Wednesday to allow for more negotiations.

According to Mike Garcia, president of the Service Employees International Union Local 1877, whose membership includes some 6,000 Los Angeles County janitors, the main dispute centers on the gap between the highest- and lowest-paid janitors under a two-tier system.