With a Dec. 31 deadline approaching, contract talks opened today for hundreds of commercial building cleaners in one of the largest private-sector labor agreements in Hartford. Over 2,000 commercial cleaners in the region are represented by 32BJ SEIU, the largest building service workers’ union in the U.S.
A union spokesman said the workers are currently covered by a four-year contract negotiated in 2011. He said there are no specific requests on the table yet beyond trying to keep up with the cost of living and maintaining member benefits, including health insurance and pensions as they stand.
Among the Hartford buildings covered in the negotiations are ones owned by: The Hartford, Aetna, Cigna, Travelers, UTC in East Hartford, UTC Aerospace in Windsor Locks, Pratt & Whitney in Middletown, the State Capitol, the Legislative Office Building and the state Department of Transportation in Newington. Negotiations are with the cleaning contractors for the buildings and not necessarily the building owners, a union spokesperson said.
“Hartford business is doing well, and we are determined to secure wages, benefits and workplace conditions that can support families in this area,” said Juan Hernandez, 32BJ District leader in Connecticut.
