(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — More than 8,000 commercial janitors across Chicagoland have voted to approve a historic, three-year contract, according to officials with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, which represents the workers.
The agreements — one with the Chicago-based Building Owners and Management Association (BOMA) and another with Suburban Contractors — came after weeks of negotiations and the threat of a strike. Their contract was set to expire on Sunday.
Union officials said the janitors were able to secure the largest wage increases in Local 1's history within the commercial market.
Both agreements will provide janitors with 100% employer-paid health care, additional paid personal days and the recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday. Employers will also increase their contributions to 401k plans.
SEIU officials said janitors in Chicago will make an additional $14,040 while suburban janitors will make an extra $13,416.
“We have negotiated for weeks, and we have won the best BOMA Commercial janitorial contract in the history of SEIU Local 1,” said Local 1 Downtown Janitor and Executive Board member Urszula Przybysz. “I have worked hard for over 30 years, to be able to earn a good pension, and I’m happy that our bargaining team has won a pension that will protect my future, as well as the future of all other members that will be retiring soon.”
Local 1 President Genie Kastrup said the new contract demonstrated “what a worker-led movement should strive to be.”
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