SEIU USWW leader Mike Garcia speaks at a panel on Justice for Janitors on the UCLA campus.

A 1989 study of building service work written by Paul Schimek and published by SEIU Local 399.

UCLA Labor Center director Kent Wong joins union supporters during the April 1995 janitors’ strike.

Members of SEIU local 399 prepare for acts of civil disobedience around the time of the strike at Century City, 1990.

Members of SEIU local 399, CIWA, the ILGWU, and other organizations march in the wake of the 1992 civil unrest.

This pledge calls for building tenants to ask Century City building owners and managers to cooperate with Justice for Janitors and agree that the tenant’s name be used as a supporter.

This image of LA police officers beating a striking a protester became a symbol of the janitors’ organizing drive.

An early Local 399 protest against ISS.

Striking janitors and their allies face off with L.A. police officers in Century City.

Union janitors share stories prompted by viewing records of the Justice for Janitors campaign.

Religious, political, and labor movement leaders join the janitors during their 2000 strike.

Rosa Beltran (right) and Mauela Ramos (center) in 2011.

Justice for Janitors organizer Rocio Sáenz speaks to a television news crew

Janitor at work

Janitor at work

Protesting janitors laugh at one of their fellow activists who is dressed as a parody of a “boss.”

Mopman on health care

A Spanish-language timeline of Justice for Janitors actions from 1987 to 1992

Justice for Janitors organzing sticker

Members of SEIU Local 399 hold a sign that reads, “L.A.’s Two Faces: Glamour and Wealth. Poverty and Despair.”

Janitors and union officials march through the lobby of a downtown office building, 1988

the Justice for Janitors used street theater to dramatize their struggle.

A child beats a drum while workers picket a downtown building.

A child dressed for Halloween carries a sign reading “Justice for Janitors”

County Federation of Labor newsletter reports on successful 1990 strike against ISS in Century City

A protest sign outside a Toyota facility in southern California in solidarity with workers in El Salvador.

SEIU local 399 leader Jim Zellars marches with Rev. James Lawson. Peter Olney (wearing a tie) is to Zellars’s right.

The Danish-owned multinational corporation International Service Systems (ISS) was the money behind many local cleaning contractors. Here the Local 399 reports on it’s legal case against ISS.

In the 1980s, new types of business relationships disrupted the labor relations system. In this newsletter, SEIU Local 399 reports that a court has declared a contractor and building owners “joint employer” clearing the way for organizing.

A Justice for Janitors newsletter from 1990 shows union members preparing for civil disobedience.

La Opinion reports on janitors’ preparation for a 1990 strike against Bradford cleaners, a building service contracting firm.

Organizers and members from several unions picket in support of HERE Local 11’s boycott of Canter’s Deli.

Pictures of fired janitors and their families conveys the impact of employer actions on the community.

Justice for Janitors pamphlet announcing a return march to Century City.

Justice for Janitors strike flyer, 1990

Turkey of the Year press release, 1989

Justice for Janitors flyer from 1989 naming Security Pacific Bank as the “Turkey of the Year”

The Justice for Janitors campaign condemns the beating of motorist Rodney King by Los Angeles police.

The records of USWW/Justice for Janitors in the basement before their donation to UCLA.

Flyer for event on Guatemalan civil war held at SEIU Local 399

The janitory-superhero “Mopman” takes on an evil boss in this Justice for Janitors cartoon.

Members of the janitors union gather to commit to their new organizing campaign, Justice for Janitors, 1988

A Justice for Janitors activist hands a flower to an office worker in honor of Secretary’s Day in 1990.

The cartoon superhero Mop Man explains workers’ rights in relation to identification, and provides contact information for National Immigration Law Center.

An organizing cartoon depicts the daily injustices experienced by janitors.

Pamphlet featuring the “Mopman,” a superhero championing the cause of janitors.

At Christmas-themed protest, janitors deliver lumps of coal to their employers.

English and Spanish TV news reports on janitors’ strike, 1995

Video from the 1990 Justice for Janitors march on Century City and police attack on marchers.

SEIU Local 399 protest links workers in California and El Salvador.

USWW rally on Bruin Plaza at the UCLA campus.

Janitors with SEIU Local 399 picket the Gas Company building in downtown Los Angeles, 1987.

Union and immigrant rights advocates march in Los Angeles, c. 1992.

Tom Bradley addresses union supporters

Supporters of the Justice for Janitors campaign hold signs that read, “L.A. Should Work for Everyone.” Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection, UCLA Library Special Collections.

Los Angeles janitors’ protest

Supporters of the Justice for Janitors campaign join in street theater during a protest against a building service contractor.

Mayor Tom Bradley speaks to a union audience.

Informational flyer from SEIU local 399 protesting Bradford Building Services’ firing of union members ca. 1989.

LA County Federation of Labor celebrates the victories of the Justice for Janitors campaign in 1991.

Building security workers with SEIU Security Officers United Los Angeles march toward a planned act of civil disobedience.

Airport workers protest low wages at Los Angeles International Airport

Justice for Janitors campaign flyer handed out at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art