Published: December 28, 2007

NEWARK -- A union representing workers who clean 450 buildings around New Jersey says it has reached tentative agreement on a new four-year contract.

The deal will provide pay increases and expanded health care benefits to about 7,000 workers.

Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union and about 50 cleaning companies had been negotiating since October.

The union had threatened to call a strike if a new contract was not in place by the new year.

The union says the majority of New Jersey office cleaners will reach $12 an hour over the course of the new agreement -- and increase of between 14 and 22 percent.

The agreement was announced late Thursday.