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Hollywood's janitors swept out of jobs by dual strikes

By Jorge Garcia
September 14, 20237:03 AM EDT • Updated 4 hours ago

LOS ANGELES, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Yolanda Cendejas was let go from her job as a studio janitor on May 5, days after Hollywood writers went on strike, leaving the Los Angeles resident without income and the health insurance she needs to cover treatment for her diabetes. ... She was forced to return to her native Mexico in July to have a non-malignant tumor removed.

"You start to think your savings are not great, your medication is expensive, and other expenses to cover are difficult," said Cendejas, 43. "I feel bad. At night, there are times that yes, I start to think, and it really is sad for me."

Janitors - like caterers, carpenters and costume workers and other Hollywood trades - have been swept up in the economic downturn that has come with the so-called "hot labor summer" in Hollywood.

Actors, emulating writers' calls for better compensation and curbs in the use of artificial intelligence, called their strike in mid-July, shutting down most work across the industry.

Cendejas hopes the strikes will end soon, but she is not encouraged by what she has seen. While recovering from her surgery, she embroiders handmade napkins to sell and bring in some income for her home.

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