Orange County janitors union votes to authorize strike

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9144532

The Associated Press
Article Launched: 05/03/2008 05:03:26 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES—Unionized janitors in Orange County have voted to authorize a strike in the midst of a contract talk impasse.

Saturday's vote means union leaders could order their 2,000 members to walk out at any time. A strike would mean dirtier buildings for some major Orange County businesses and malls.

Union spokeswoman Gina Bowers says the Orange County Central Labor Council will announce Monday whether it will sanction the strike.

If it does, some 140,000 members of 80 different unions would refuse to cross janitor picket lines.

Meanwhile, a strike authorization vote by janitors in Los Angeles County was postponed until next week because of progres in their talks.