Houston, Texas, USA, 01 AUGUST 2012

Janitors, civil rights and labour activists stage protests in downtown Houston during rush-hour traffic - the day before renewed bargaining talks, following a four-week strike over Houston-area janitors' wages. 

The janitors’ contracts expired May 31, and they are seeking to increase their pay to $10 an hour over the next three years. The top pay for most janitors in Houston is $8.35 an hour, and most make about $9,000 a year.