Area commercial office cleaners, including more than 1,200 who work in Montgomery County, believe contract talks “remain far apart.”
Negotiations for a four-year union contract that covers about 9,000 commercial office cleaners in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area with Washington Service Contractors Association began in June.
According to SEIU Local 32Bj, union members are fighting proposed cuts to their hours, which are scheduled to begin Oct. 15. According to the union, the association wants to cut five-hour shifts to four hours, which would amount to a 20% pay cut for some workers.
“These men and women were considered essential during the pandemic, but the industry is treating them as if they’re disposable by trying to cut wages that don’t even keep up with inflation,” said Jaime Contreras, 32BJ executive vice president.
“Janitors sacrificed their health and lives keeping our downtowns and economy running and they are key to their recovery,” Contreras noted in a news release.
Janitors currently earn $17 an hour in Montgomery County and $17.95 in D.C., with paid vacation, paid holidays and paid sick leave.
Photo Courtesy of SEIU Local 32Bj website.
