BOSTON--The union representing approximately 2,000 workers who clean more than 90 percent of the large commercial buildings in downtown Hartford, Conn., and the surrounding area Dec. 20 said it has reached a tentative accord with area cleaning contractors on a new, four-year contract.
Members of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ in Hartford are expected to vote shortly on the terms of the contract, which would provide a $2 per hour raise over the next four years. The wage increase represents a 17 percent hike for workers in the city, and a 20 percent hike for workers in other parts of Hartford County.
The agreement was reached between the cleaning contractors and the union's bargaining committee two weeks before the Dec. 31, 2007, expiration date of the current contract.
The tentative accord calls for wage increases of 50 cents per hour in each year of the four-year accord. The first wage hike would take place July 1, 2008, according to the union.
If the agreement is approved, workers in Hartford would see their wages increase from the current level of $11.80 per hour to $13.80 over the life of the agreement, while workers in the suburbs would see an increase from $10.25 to $12.25, the union said.
In addition, the tentative agreement would maintain fully employer-paid family health care coverage and increase pension contributions for full-time employees, while also improving health benefits for part-time workers who work between 20 and 29 hours each week, according to Local 32BJ Connecticut Director Kurt Westby. This includes life insurance, a prescription drug benefit, and dental and optical insurance.
In addition, the tentative contract would provide a pension benefit and two personal days for suburban office cleaners. Union officials said the tentative agreement also includes an improved training program and a legal services benefit program.
The union said the cleaners also secured language that would increase the number of full-time jobs over the life of the contract. By the conclusion of the new accord, all cleaners at buildings of more than 400,000 square feet would have full-time jobs with fully employer-paid health care coverage.
Part-time work would be increased to a minimum of 25 hours per week from a current minimum of 20 hours.
Westby told BNA Dec. 21 that the union is very happy with the contract agreement. He said he believes that the contractors agreed to the improved language because they are aware that the workers are "very serious" regarding wages and benefits and would have been willing to strike if necessary to achieve a fair package.
He said the contractors who negotiated the accord for the Hartford and surrounding area were reasonable and understood that the janitors deserve wages and benefits that are not below the poverty line. "They don't want to have sweatshop conditions in their buildings," Westby said.
Contractors that have agreed to the accord include UNICCO Service Co., ABM Industries, and Capitol Carpet and Upholstery.
Calls to UNICCO and ABM were not returned.
SEIU noted that contract negotiations for nearly 2,000 cleaners in Fairfield County, Conn., continue. Those workers voted Dec. 14 to give the bargaining committee power to call a strike if necessary.
The current contract expires Dec. 31.
