PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

activists protest Sky Bank
by hjkhjk Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004 at 6:51 AM

Thomas Merton Center targets sky bank in continuing dispute with Sky Bank- short report on Nov. 26th protest/picket

Thomas Merton Center continues healthcare fight. Centre City dispute broadens

On the day after Thanksgiving, ten people braved the cold for an hour-long protest picket at Sky Banks Lawrenceville branch. Holding signs such as "support workers rights" and "healthcare is a right" they handed out flyers and received a warm reception from local residents, with many a horn honk and thumbs-up from passersby’s. In recent weeks Sky has found itself increasingly the target of a healthcare and workers rights campaign [organized by the Thomas Merton Center] over its role in the firing of nine union Janitors at Centre City Tower last year, an action many feel was the result of a recent contract victory by the Janitors that secured affordable healthcare for themselves and their families. The janitors were laid-off when building management brought in PF Enterprises, a non-union firm paying close to minimum wage with no healthcare benefits. Sky Bank holds the mortgage on Centre City Tower, is one of the largest tenants in the building, has a giant Sky Bank sign on the side of the building, and loaned the owner of the PF Enterprises money around the same time they the company was brought in as the new contractor. For these reasons activists feel Sky bears much of the moral responsibility for what happened and has demanded the company speak out and take action to address the injustice.

For more information on the campaign to support the Centre City Janitors and take on Sky Bank see http://www.thomasmertoncenter.org/janitors

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