More than 8,000 Chicagoland janitors have reasons to cheer as they secured new contracts featuring significant wage increases and improved benefits. The janitorial staff, represented by Service Employees International Union Local 1, gained these advances following a tight negotiation schedule that concluded just ahead of the April 7th deadline, FOX 32 Chicago reported.
The agreements benefited the workers considerably, with downtown janitors getting a 15% wage hike while their suburban counterparts will enjoy a 19% increase over the span of three years. The wage bump for BOMA/Chicago-affiliated workers includes $1.50 an hour for year one and 75 cents for the next two years. Meanwhile, employees working for suburban contractors will see a $1.25 an hour raise in the first year, followed by 75 cents, in the second and a $1.20 raise for the final year, as The Chicago Sun-Times outlined.
The janitors' victory was not limited to pay rises. The deal also includes 100% employer-paid healthcare, and additional paid personal and sick days, with Juneteenth commemorated as a new paid holiday. The BOMA/Chicago contract stipulates increased pension contributions. In contrast, suburban janitors can look forward to greater contributions to their 401k plans.
"Today is a historic day for the Local 1 janitors who fought for weeks to ensure they got the contract they deserved," Local 1 President Genie Kastrup told FOX 32 Chicago. "Thousands of commercial janitors valiantly worked through the pandemic while everyone else stayed home." Kastrup went on to commend the worker-led movement's determination which culminated in this landmark victory.
The freshly ratified contracts were a product of resilience, with the janitors' union conducting rallies and marches to press for their demands. Both contracts received unanimous consent from the voting janitors, indicating a solid front in pursuit of fair labor terms. The trade association covered in the talks includes about 240 buildings and around 170 companies offering commercial building services, with SEIU Local 1's janitors servicing roughly 85% of Cook County's commercial office buildings.
