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Published: January 23, 2008

Can’t everyone just get along? Yes, when it comes to Local 32BJ of the Services Employee International Union and cleaning contractors who service office buildings Island-wide.

Both parties struck a deal on Tuesday. As we reported last week, the local’s rank and file authorized its leadership to walk out and set up picket lines. The two sides had been at loggerheads since the end of October and the union workers had labored without contracts since New Year’s Day.

The new, four-year deal calls for up to a 20.5 percent wage increase for the 1,000 workers who clean and maintain office buildings and increases in starting wages and better health benefits for part-time workers. Full time workers will retain full employer-paid family health insurance.