Janitors from Denver gathered downtown Monday for a car rally, demanding to meet with their employer Commercial Cleaning Services (CCS) to discuss hour reductions and increased workload during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All we are asking is for CCS to meet with us to address these issues,” said Cynthia Rosales, a janitor in Denver. “With fewer hours, we are still asked to maintain building standards during the pandemic.”

Rosales said CCS, one of the largest contractors in the metro area, has reduced hours for janitors in more than 100 buildings during the pandemic.

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For janitors, that means less time to complete the same workload for less pay.

“Our families are consistently squeezed financially with the uncertainty of whether we will work enough hours to get by,” Rosales said.

“We want CCS to work with us to set the standard for how janitors are treated during the pandemic and create a plan for how we can begin safely reopening and sanitizing Denver’s buildings.”

In addition to creating financial difficulties for the janitors, protestors said cutting hours threatens public health by forcing workers to rush through sanitation efforts.

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Denver janitors planned a similar rally in December, demanding the reinstatement of hours ahead of the holiday season. However, CCS agreed to their demands shortly before the scheduled rally.

“The pandemic is not over, and the risk is very high. It is the first thing I have on my mind every time I go to work,” said Marisol Santos, a Denver janitor of 12 years, before the December rally.

Monday’s rally, which began at 11 a.m., featured janitors affected by the work hour reductions driving around the CCS offices at 1165 S. Pennsylvania St.

CCS has not yet responded to the rally.