During the final days of 2011, and even in the final few hours, SEIU 32BJ office cleaners stood strong and won tentative new contracts. In the last three months, 32BJ has reached new, multiyear contracts for more than 50,000 workers in New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware and Connecticut’s Fairfield County and New York’s Hudson Valley in a region-wide campaign to promote good jobs and stronger communities. Contract talks continue for workers in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs.
“I am happy with this agreement,” said Ivan Almendarez who is a cleaner at New York University. “Keeping my healthcare and getting wage increases will go a long way toward helping me raise my kids and take care of my ailing wife.”
“For most of my coworkers the most important part is holding onto the healthcare coverage. For me, the most important thing is the wages,” said Anthony Marcel, who has worked five years as a building cleaner at the University of Connecticut at Storrs and who sits on the 32BJ Bargaining Committee.
- Read more about the tentative NYC agreement and the other new, multiyear contracts 32BJ has reached for more than 50,000 workers from Hartford, CT to Northern Virginia.