No Strike for Cleaning Contractors

A tentative agreement has been reached for four-year contracts covering the 2,000 office building cleaners in the Hartford and New Haven areas who were on the verge of going on strike if they did not receive a wage increase.

The 32BJ SEIU Bargaining Committee announced that over the next four years, the minimum hourly pay for cleaners will increase from the current rate of $11 in New Haven, $12.25 in suburban Hartford and $13.50 in Downtown Hartford. In addition to the increase, cleaners will continue to receive healthcare coverage and other benefits.

Kurt Westby the Connecticut State Director for 32BJ said the agreement was a win for Connecticut working families, businesses and taxpayers. “This agreement will help 2,000 hardworking men and women better support their families which will contribute to our state’s future economic growth,” Westby explained.

Governor Dannel Malloy, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, and U.S. Reps Rosa DeLauro and John Larson all issued statements within the past two days calling for the two sides to find common ground and avert to a potential damaging strike.

Contract talks began in mid-November between the 32BJ and the Hartford Cleaning Contractors Association.

Members of the 32BJ clean some of Connecticut’s most important landmark buildings including the State Capitol, New Haven City Hall and the Long Wharf Maritime Center.

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