Hundreds of metro Denver janitors marched to Union Station on Monday in anticipation of contract negotiations with cleaning companies set to begin this week.

The janitors who rallied are members of the Service Employees International Union Local 105, whose contract with cleaning companies is set to expire this summer.

The janitors said they must be a part of Mayor Mike Johnston’s campaign to revitalize downtown.

“If we want to build a thriving downtown, our voices must be a part of that plan,” said Maria Hernandez, a janitor for the last 39 years in Denver.

“(It) starts with livable wages, fair workloads, safe workplaces, and respect from cleaning company executives … We’re fighting for our new contract,” Hernandez said. “So far, talks have been productive.”

Monday was “Justice for Janitors” day. Some elected officials joined the janitors in marching from Union Station to 19th Street, around Arapahoe Street and back to the train station along 17th Street.

In a news release, SEIU Local 105 said that more than 90% of janitors in Denver are Latina immigrant women.

Stephanie Felix-Sowy, president of SEIU Local 105 said janitors are a key part of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s campaign to revitalize downtown Denver. The mayor has earmarked $58 million this year for the campaign.

“These are the folks who are going to continue to do what they’ve always done — keep downtown clean, keep these buildings clean,” Felix-Sowy said. “They show up every day.”

“When we talk about revitalizing downtown, we have to talk about the people who keep it clean,” added District 7 Councilmember Flor Alvidrez, who joined the march.

Denver Clerk & Recorder Paul López, who was also at the rally, emphasized job security through contracts with cleaning companies. He said his father, who retired as a janitor, for a long time wasn’t part of a contract and was fired from time to time.

“So, when you talk about what a contract means, it’s not just pay, it’s not just healthcare, it’s also respect on the job,” López told The Denver Gazette. “It’s also knowing that they have job stability. So as long as they’re putting in an honest day’s work, they’re gonna get treated with honesty and respect and a contract says it’s a guarantee.”