On Saturday, hundreds of commercial building cleaners will vote to authorize a strike if current bargaining sessions don’t result in a new contract that protects their benefits and includes a fair wage increase.
Over 2,000 janitors, represented by union 32BJ SEIU, have been negotiating with the Hartford County Cleaning Contractors Association since Nov. 19. The union said in a statement, the contractors have not proposed any wage increases, nor proposed the necessary funds to maintain health benefits and pensions. They have also have not accepted a proposal to create five dedicated paid sick days.
The current contract expires at midnight, Dec. 31. The janitors clean over 150 buildings in Hartford County, including the homes of Aetna, Travelers, the University of Connecticut, and many state buildings. The negotiations are part of a series covering over 70,000 janitors on the East Coast— one of the largest collective-bargaining agreements in the country.
“After three bargaining sessions, these hardworking men and women are joining together on Saturday to make our position crystal clear — we’re ready to go on strike to prevent moving backwards,” said Juan Hernandez, 32BJ Connecticut district leader.
Local cleaners could end up in solidarity with their union counterparts in Fairfield County and the Hudson Valley of New York. Last Saturday they voted to authorize a potential strike if an agreement can’t be reached for an expiring contract.
