Charles Gladden: Homeless man employed at US Senate building earns just $360 a week

The 63-year-old sleeps in a subway station, less than a mile from the White House

US Senate (Getty)

Like many of the people who work in menial jobs in the US Senate, Charles Gladden works long, hard hours for very modest pay. Unlike probably everyone else, Mr Gladden is homeless.

The 63-year-old sweeps and mops, cleans dishes and carries laundry, for take-home pay of around $360 a week. He says he gives most to his children and grandchildren and spends most of his nights at the McPherson Square Metro Station, less than half-a-mile from the White House.

“I want to provide for them, not burden them,” he told the Washington Post, of his family. He said that unlike them, he knew how to make benefit of free clinics and food banks

Last week, Mr Gladden joined other Senate staff members who took a one-day strike to protest over their pay and conditions, requesting that President Barack Obama back moves to demand a living wage.

He said he took enormous pride in working at the offices of government, but was not sure many of those he served were fully aware of the conditions of those who worked there.

“Our lawmakers, they don’t even realise what’s going on right beneath their feet,” said Mr Gladden, who works in the Senate cafeteria for a private contractor and who has not had a fixed address for five years. “They don’t have a clue.”