Washington, DC – The men and women who clean and maintain the John A. Wilson Building, which houses the chambers of the DC City Council and the Mayor’s office, announced ratification of a new contract between 32BJ SEIU and R & R Janitorial, Painting & Building Services Inc. Under the three-year agreement that expires on June 30, 2013, cleaners will receive wage increases of over 18% as well as pension benefits and paid sick leave for the first time.
“Cleaners and their families really need this boost in wages and benefits,” said Jaime Contreras, 32BJ SEIU Capital Area Director. “These hard-working men and women will be able to support their families and take time off when they need to.”
The 8 part-time and 3 full-time workers who earn $12.10 an hour will see their hourly wage rate increase to as much as $15.50 by July 1, 2012. Under the new contract, all cleaners will receive up to 12 paid sick days and paid vacation. The first annual wage and benefit increases kick in on July 1, 2010.
“By standing together, we were able to get big improvements to our wages, job security and benefits,” said Sonia Vazquez, a single mother of three who has cleaned the Wilson Building for seven years. “My mother’s very sick, I need all the help I can get to pay for her diabetes medicine and support my children.”
32BJ represents cleaners and maintenance workers at several government agencies including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Justice, the U.S. State Department, FDIC offices in the District and Northern Virginia, the Pentagon and other offices in Langley, VA.
With more than 120,000 members in eight states, including 15,000 in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country.
updated 6/9/2010
