Workers from over 50 stores in the Twin Cities area gathered outside of Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis at 6 AM yesterday morning to strike, calling for higher wages, an end to wage theft, and benefits.

The workers, who clean big box stores, belong to Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL), a Twin Cities worker center, and SEIU Local 26. They were joined by hundreds of supporters.

At the rally, the workers spoke out about the harsh working conditions:

“I have worked for fourteen years in the industry, and I only make $9 an hour,” stated Jose Cabrera, CTUL member and employee of Carlson Building Maintenance who cleans a Target store.

“At this pay I am forced to work a second job. This takes a huge toll on my health. I don’t have enough time to rest. I don’t have time spend with my family. Although Target created the new policy, we still have not seen necessary changes. For example, many workers still complain that they are forced to work seven days a week, in direct contradiction to Target’s Responsible Contractor Policy. We are standing up to end wage theft, and to win fair wages, fair benefits and basic respect for janitors across the industry.”

This strike comes just weeks after a lawsuit was filed claiming wage theft against a company contracted to clean big box stores in the Twin Cities.

Photo Credit: SEIU Minnesota State Council