SACRAMENTO – Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) and Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) issued the following statement regarding Dell Inc.’s decision to lay off their janitors at a Santa Clara office building:
"In May 2016, janitors working at tech companies across the Silicon Valley signed a historic contract that gives new protections against sexual violence and raises wages to a minimum of $15 an hour. However, Dell – through their real estate management company CB Richard Ellis - now wants to ignore that contract, negotiated in good faith, and move to cheaper, nonunionized labor to replace current janitorial staff. Instead of embracing measures to protect the hardworking men and women that keep Dell’s facilities pristine, Dell wants to cut costs. It is unacceptable that a company in Silicon Valley - where so much wealth is generated – is getting rid of its unionized janitors to save money. We are strong supporters of Silicon Valley and the innovation economy. However a company that made $3.2 billion in profit in fiscal year 2015 should be able to afford to pay their janitors a living wage. Dell’s actions are in direct conflict with the beliefs of their CEO’s own Foundation that ‘financial stability can help families break the cycle of poverty and ensure better health and education for their children.’ We urge Dell and CBRE to retain its janitors and ensure they are not left on a path to poverty. Companies should fairly serve the community they reside in and the workers that help make them successful. Dell has long been a leader in the technology community. This is not a lead others should follow."
