Published: December 30, 2007

NORWALK — City buildings will maintain their cleanliness, as the union representing nearly 2,000 janitors across Fairfield County agreed to contractual terms with the cleaning companies that employ the union's workers.

Late Friday night, both sides agreed upon a new, four-year contract, which gives members of Local 32BJ wage increases, promotions and improved health benefits.

"We got a good contract," said Kurt Westby, Connecticut area director of Local 32BJ. "I think that, at least, the union is happy about it and I think the contractors can live with it."

Contract negotiations between the union, which also represents around 2,000 office cleaners in Westchester County and the greater Hudson Valley, and the various cleaning companies had been going on since October.

The old contract between the union and an unnamed collective of companies expired Monday and the union had authorized a strike if the two sides failed to reach an agreement.

"Some contractors would have tried to bring in workers to cross picket lines," said Westby. "I think, clearly, a lot of building would certainly get a lot dirtier."

The strike would have affected Norwalk Community College, Merritt 7, the Maritime Aquarium, the Purdue Building and other area properties.

The new contract provides greater financial stability for the union's workers in Fairfield County, according to Westby.

Under the new contractual terms, an office cleaner in a 400,000 square-foot building, who now works four hours a night at a wage of $10.50 per hour, may be bumped to full-time and will receive heightened benefits. Previously, the part-time worker would not have been eligible for health care benefits.

"If we move that job to full time, not only are they making twice as much money but they have health care benefits paid, which is huge," Westby said.

The union obtained a $2 raise, or a 19 percent wage increase, over the contract's duration. The increases take effect in April of each year, though the union wanted them in January.
Expanded health coverage sprouting from the contract includes family health care coverage

Most buildings that measure over 400,000 square feet bumped their part-time workers to full-time. Westby said, though he wanted all the buildings to promote their part-time workers to full-time hours, he was satisfied with the results of the new contractual agreement.