Janitors who are about to lose their jobs at City buildings held a press conference outside City Council Chambers Wednesday morning before the Council meeting and called on policymakers to preserve and create good jobs in Chicago. Among the speakers at the press conference were Chicago janitors set to lose the jobs and the health care their families depend on over the holiday weekend when the City replaces their employer with a new cleaning contractor.

The City is poised to replace the janitors’ current employer with cleaning contractor Dayspring this weekend; as a result, 50 Chicago janitors will lose their jobs. Dayspring has a history that includes allegations of violating workers’ rights, and apparently not honoring its contracts. Yet Dayspring managed to be awarded the contract by the City over more responsible cleaning companies.

Chicago janitors and their allies have been lobbying to pass the Responsible Bidder Ordinance, which would allow the City to consider criteria other than cost alone in choosing a contractor; under this ordinance, the City would be able to award contracts to companies that provide good jobs and quality services. The Responsible Bidder Ordinance has the expressed support of 31 aldermen.