John Edwards for President-Edwards, Hoffa rally for UM janitors; National political figures John Edwards and James P. Hoffa delivered moral support and media exposure to a rally for striking UM janitors

Edwards, Hoffa rally for UM janitors; National political figures John Edwards and James P. Hoffa delivered moral support and media exposure to a rally for striking UM janitors

Apr 26, 2006 5:23 PM

Beth Reinhard
Miami Herald
Apr 26, 2006

Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards on Tuesday brought his political power to the people, joining striking University of Miami janitors ''arm and arm'' in their calls for better wages and health benefits.

Edwards, the former U.S. senator looking every bit the workingman in sweaty shirt sleeves and jeans, was flanked at the noon rally by International Teamsters President James P. Hoffa.

''When I hear of a group of courageous workers engaged in a historic struggle, it is important to me to show that I am with them,'' Edwards told more than 100 people gathered at the strikers' campsite along South Dixie Highway in Coral Gables. ``I am with you in every step of this struggle. No American should be working full time and still living in poverty.''

Echoing the ''two Americas'' he described during his 2004 campaign, Edwards has been waging a national antipoverty crusade since he and presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry lost the election. Both men are possible Democratic presidential contenders in 2008.

''You have my word,'' Edwards told 52-year-old hunger striker Reinald Hernandez, clasping his hand and promising to lobby UM President Donna Shalala.

The complicated labor dispute between university subcontractor UNICCO and the Service Employees International Union, which wants to represent the janitors, has dragged on for two months. The university raised the janitors' hourly pay and offered a health plan, but strikers want Shalala to go further.

They want her to persuade UNICCO to accept the union's demand for a ''card check,'' which would allow workers to unionize when a majority sign cards. UNICCO favors a secret ballot.

Shalala has repeatedly said it would be inappropriate for her to intervene in the labor dispute.

Shalala said in a telephone interview that she and Edwards spoke by phone after the rally. ''He's an old friend,'' she said. ``He said he wanted to be helpful, and I explained that the university is trying to remain neutral while encouraging the two parties to work together.''

Across the street from the palm-tree-lined campus, the union has set up what looks like a small refugee camp, with bedraggled tents, cots and cases of bottled water. A spray-painted tent declares it is ``Freedom City.''

''Today, I bring you greetings and support from 1.5 million Teamsters,'' Hoffa told the crowd, many of whom wore purple SEIU T-shirts. ``We are with you. We hear your voices.''

Later, Hoffa and Southern Christian Leadership Conference President Charles Steele marched with some of the janitors to Shalala's office. They were told she wasn't available.

''You tell her that James P. Hoffa with the Teamsters was here to see her,'' said the son of the famous union boss who disappeared more than 30 years ago. He handed over his business card to a campus employee.

Rally speakers, including Edwards, accused UNICCO of intimidating and threatening employees. UNICCO has said it does not oppose the union, but disagrees over the voting process.

''They are our workers and are sympathetic, and we completely support their right to organize,'' said UNICCO spokeswoman Cristin Brown.

Late Tuesday, university officials said a state judge had issued an injunction against union protesters, banning them from disrupting campus activities. The Miami Herald could not confirm the injunction, and union officials could not be reached.