One business is returning to its Beloit roots thanks to the efforts of a band of brothers.

Robert Whitley Jr., Ron Whitley and Ricky Whitley are resurrecting the commercial cleaning business their parents, Helen and the late Robert Whitley Sr., started back in 1968. 

Robert Whitley Sr. started Father and Sons Cleaning as a side business while he was a custodian at Waterman School in Beloit. His entrepreneurial spirit drove the business to eventually employ 15 and support his family. In its heyday, clients included the Besley Corporation, First National Bank, M&I Bank, PepsiCo, Alliant Energy, Durst, the Rock County and Winnebago County courthouses, as well as the Beloit Public Library. 

More at source: Beloit Daily News

EVERETT - At the core of his business, 21-year-old Everett resident Gerrett Moreton operates on the same principles and values that any budding entrepreneur must follow to achieve success.

He has committed himself to offering his customers the highest quality product and service possible at an affordable cost. It’s just a universal rule that must be followed in order to turn a buck. It applies to anyone, from lemonade stand moguls, or in Moreton’s case, an expert gravestone cleaner.

More at source: Simcoe

The month-long janitors' strike in Houston, Texas concluded Saturday with janitors approving a new agreement between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and several major cleaning contractorsundefinedABM Janitorial Services, GCA Services, ISS Facility Services, and Pritchardundefinedwho employ them to clean the office buildings of numerous large corporations.

About 400 janitors, members of the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU), voted to accept the deal. They have been without a contract since May 31.

More at source: WSWS

A janitorial company working in a Missoula nursing home has been cited with almost $60,000 worth of safety violations after exposing workers to multiple hazards, including failure to provide hepatitis B exposure prevention training to employees.

Healthcare Services Group Inc. was issued five citations Aug. 7 from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration after inspections were opened in May at the Missoula Health and Rehabilitation Center.

More at source: Missoulian

Salazar said Torres didn’t demand one but any jobs adding up to $3,000 as promised. Salazar said, “She never got those offers, nothing even close. It’s misleading and she’s not alone.”

The franchise regional manager told Salazar “I want Maria to be successful. To want to help Maria. I don’t want to have an adversarial relationship.” Salazar said none of the franchise buyers received refunds.

More at source: WOWT NBC

TOLEDO -- Developmentally disabled workers have replaced janitorial employees at a state-owned building in northern Ohio under a contract reorganization by the state.

The state Department of Administrative Services started the changes with One Government Center in Toledo but said it also will be arranging janitorial staffing for buildings it oversees in Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus, The Blade reported.

More at source: Newark Advocate

Alice McAfee has worked as a janitor for nearly 30 years. She has seen a lot of changes in the industry, she says, but not for the better. Her work has become harder, her hours have been cut and her wages have not kept up with inflation.

McAfee has joined more than 400 other Houston janitorial workers in protests over their working conditions. They are asking for a wage increase, from $8.35 an hour to $10 an hour, to be implemented over a three-year period.

More at source: Texas Tribune

The issue of market share, coupled with a contract provision that allows the seven union contractors to pay less than union-negotiated wages if they're bidding against a nonunion contractor, is at the forefront of the negotiations that started again Thursday to try to resolve a contract dispute that has resulting in demonstrations, arrests and spot strikes.

The 3,200 janitors, whose last contract ended May 31, are seeking a raise from $8.35 to $10 an hour.

More at source: Chron.com

There’s nothing quite like the luxurious feel of clean carpet beneath your feet. However, if not done properly, carpet cleaning can become an assault both on the enviroment and on the health of everyone in your home. It doesn’t have to be this way, though! Listed below are five key ways to make cleaning your house’s carpets a much more eco-friendly affair. Read on:

Vacuum

Carpeting is an attractive environment for health hazards such as dust, mold, pet dander and other allergens. Not only that, some carpets made with synthetic weaves give...

More at source: GreenerIdeal

It takes a lot of repair work to keep government operational. Considering the buildings, roads, bridges and public lands the state owns, it is not surprising that the demand for repair work is strong and continual.

There are thousands of contracting opportunities each week for firms offering repair services. Outside contractors are routinely hired for specialized expertise such as elevator repair, security alarm maintenance and window washing for high-rise office buildings.

More at source: Bizjournals