Two bids were received. SW Resources submitted a proposal of $4,487 monthly for three workers and a supervisor, for an annual total of $53,844, along with equipment and materials needed for cleaning. The other bid was submitted by Winans Services. Winans' bid contained varying hourly wages, which calculated from an annual total of more than $28,000 to more than $37,000 annually, depending on which hourly wage the commission chose, and included equipment and supplies. The hourly wages offered in the bid ranged from $8-$9.

More at source: News and Sentinel

SANTA ANA, Calif. (CN) - More than 50 people say so-called janitorial franchisor Stratus Building Solutions of Orange defrauded them in a cold-blooded "corporate scam" aimed at Spanish speakers.
     The 51 Latino plaintiffs say GoldeneyeHoldings dba Stratus Building Solutions of Orange ran a "simple" scam that targeted "victims who don't speak English by taking out ads in Spanish speaking publications."
     "The advertisements seek to attract Latino immigrants with promises of financial freedom if they purchase janitorial franchises from defendant Stratus. The advertisements encourage prospective franchisees to immediately call or visit 'Fernando,' one of its sales representatives," according to the Superior Court complaint.

More at source: Courthouse News Service

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Area office building cleaners have unanimously approved a four-year agreement that provides a 13 percent wage increase over the course of the contract. 

The new contract also provides affordable health care coverage and increases the number of full-time job opportunities. Workers were previously making $12 an hour and will end up making $14.10 an hour by the end of the contract.

More at source: Chappaqua

Among the many other benefits to be had from Bio-Protect 500, which is the only antimicrobial technology that performs without diffusion or leaching off the applied substrate surface, include:

1. It protects the applied surface between cleanings

2. Bound Technology – unlike conventional disinfectants, poisons, phenols or heavy metals, our technology performs while bound to the applied surface (substrate).

3. Residual Efficacy – Unlike other antimicrobials, our product's efficacy remains for a long period of time. Our Bio-Protect 500 EPA registered label specifies re-application every 90 days. Bio-Protect 500 has been independently tested for 100 standard washes.

More at source: PRWEB

A cleaning company has been taken to the cleaners. They will be paying 450,000 dollars to settle a racial discrimination and retaliation lawsuit.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a suit against Matrix, LLC, a company that specializes in professional cleaning and janitorial services and operates in areas throughout New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. The EEOC filed the lawsuit on behalf of 15 former employees. Matrix will pay nearly a million dollars and will also be providing substantial relief.

More at source: Human Resource Journal

MISSION, KS, Jan 05, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- (Family Features) Staying indoors so much during the winter months can create clutter and mess around the house. But you don't have to wait until spring to give your house a good spring cleaning, and you don't have to do an extreme makeover. You can wake up and spruce up a tired-looking home with a few simple cleaning and organizing routines.

Here are some tips and tricks for making your home spring-clean right now, one room at a time.

More at source: Market Watch

If you set out to buy certain cleaning supplies in the new year, don’t forget to bring your ID.

Under a new state law, retailers are now required to keep a registry of people who purchase items that contain certain chemicals, such as sulfuric acid and ammonia water. The legislation was initiated after two attacks on Chicago women who were badly scarred after having acid poured on them, according to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

More at source: Daily Chronicle

The number of Latinos who own and operate small businesses in Minnesota is booming. This state-wide trend is spreading to Moorhead.

Express Janitorial Services owner Jesus Gutierrez is making sure Fargo's Family Healthcare is squeaky clean.

Jesus Gutierrez – Express Janitorial Services: "I want to provide to my family whatever they need."

Gutierrez is pretty busy. He's got accounts all over the F-M area, including Moorhead's Menards

More at source: WDAY

As the New Year's Eve contract deadline looms for office cleaners who attend to some of New York City's most iconic buildings and the companies that own them, janitorial staff in cities across the country have indicated they won't cross picket lines if the two sides can't reach a deal.

Should unionized building cleaners around the country stand in solidarity with the 22,000 New York City office cleaners represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, the city's cleaners' struggle could swell to include about 100,000 workers.

More at source: Huffington Post

Police in Southern Indiana are searching for a janitor at an Oakland City high school.

Michael Shafer is suspected of making meth at the school last week.

Officers found the meth lab at Wood Memorial High School. They found it in an area of the school that is off limits to students and most staff members.

Source: WSBT