Chicago area janitors will take a strike authorization vote Saturday, which would give their collective bargaining committee to call a strike, if necessary.

"Local janitors, who make about $30,000 a year, are struggling to keep their families out of poverty," explains a press release. "Janitors and community supporters are calling on building owners and the richest corporations in the country to do their part and create good middle class jobs for Chicago."

Contract negotiations have been taking place since early March. The contract for SEIU* Local 1 janitors is set to expire April 8, affecting more than 13,000 local workers. For the first time, contracts are set to expire for all of SEIU Local 1's janitors in 11 cities, impacting some 22,000 workers altogether.

* The SEIU Illinois Council sponsors this web site.