Cleaning Coalition Advocates for Essential Sector

SAN FRANCISCO—The contract cleaning service industry employs more than 1 million workers in every state in the country, and it has been hard hit by the economic impact of COVID-19. The objective of the newly formed Cleaning Coalition of America is to ensure that state and federal government continues to prioritize cleaning services as an essential workforce, according to San Francisco-based Able Services.

The Coalition represents the needs of an often-overlooked sector playing a vital role keeping essential services operating during COVID-19. It is seeking the tools to fight this pandemic and help America get back to work, including making sure janitors are in proper personal protective equipment/PPE with the right chemicals and have access to extended healthcare coverage.

Accordingly, the Coalition is asking Congress and the administration to support targeted measures that will help ensure the continuity of business operations and the employment of its essential workforce.

Able Services recently joined with six other organizations in the contract cleaning sector to establish the Coalition.

“The industry is experiencing a shortage of the necessary PPE and cleaning supplies. We need priority access to ensure that we’re safely following protocols for the health and safety of our employees. Our essential workers are on the front line helping America open back up for business and their safety is the number one concern,” Mark Kelly, president of Able Services, tells GlobeSt.com. “Additionally, the Cleaning Coalition of America is seeking to ensure that all workers, particularly front-line workers, have access to healthcare and protection from COVID-related illness at no cost to them.”

As the country moves past this crisis to get back to business, the contract cleaning sector will again be on the front lines. Cleaners will be disinfecting workspaces, schools, airplanes, shopping centers, stadiums and other public spaces to prepare them for widespread use, re-establishing the public’s trust in the systems that underpin society.

“Health and safety is the number one priority for our employees, clients and communities. We’re looking to preserve jobs and maintain access to much-needed personal protective equipment for our workers, so that they can continue to do their jobs which are an essential part of getting the American economy moving again,” said J. Paul Saccone, chief executive officer of Able Services.

Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of reopening public spaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed with the right products. EPA has compiled a list of products that can be used against COVID-19 including ready-to-use sprays, concentrates and wipes. Each product has been shown to be effective against viruses that are harder to kill than viruses like the one that causes COVID-19.

Every American has been called upon to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing and prevention hygiene such as frequent handwashing and wearing face coverings. Everyone also has a role in making sure communities are as safe as possible to reopen and remain open, says the CDC.