I am at Netsquared's yearly conference. Last year I remember that janitors at Cisco (sponsors of the event) were on strike.

Today - they are on strike again.

From JusticeAtCisco.com

Seventy-five janitors who were recently laid off by Cisco Systems' contractor are continuing their mobilizations this week calling on the profitable high-tech company to be a responsible corporate citizen and reinstate them.

• Dozens of janitors are manning the 24-hour protest encampment outside of Cisco's headquarters at 300 East Tasman Drive, San Jose.  

• Also, a delegation of janitors visited San Jose's City Council members yesterday to share their stories and appeal for the elected officials to reach out to Cisco decision makers on their behalf.  The janitors met with staff of City Council members including Madison Nguyen, Ash Kalra, Kansen Chu, and Rose Herrera; and left information for members Nora Campos and Sam Liccardo.

This is obviously an ongoing issue. I give credit to the United Service Workers West for helping to organize this blog, which documents the various protests - but a larger look needs to be taken - not to place blame, but to get underneath the issues. What can Cisco learn, what can the workers learn - and what can the larger San Jose community learn to help them all deal with this ongoing issue.