The janitors’ union, which framed contract negotiations in the context of working-class Cleveland, have won a four-year agreement, according to the union.
Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 ratified the contract April 13 but made it public this week. During the life of the contract, janitors will see their hourly wages increase between $3.25 and $4. Under the old contract, Janitors made about $14 an hour. New benefits include three additional paid sick days.
The contract covers more than 500 janitors, many working in downtown Cleveland buildings. About 75% of the downtown janitors are Cleveland residents, according to SEIU Local 1.
As everyone knows, inflation is affecting everyone and winning a fair contract with increased wages means janitors can provide for our families and build our future.
Janitor Brian Yarbrough
Janitor Brian Yarbrough described the new contract as a victory, saying that “stronger wages have been a priority for me and many of my Local 1 janitorial brothers and sisters.”
“As everyone knows, inflation is affecting everyone and winning a fair contract with increased wages means janitors can provide for our families and build our future,” he said in a news release. “Our work is often invisible but this contract reflects the hard work we have put in day in and day out to keep our community safe.”
The union made the janitor’s contract negotiations a public affair, in what SEIU Local 1 called its One Cleveland campaign. This included a February rally in front of Downtown Cleveland, Inc., whose members include the owners of downtown buildings, urging the nonprofit and its members to support higher wages for janitors. SEIU Local 1 held a community forum in March, in which janitors told of their economic struggles and their need for higher wages. Members connected their fight for higher wages to the plight of Clevelanders, since it is a city with many lower-wage and working-class residents.
The janitors are employed by cleaning companies that contract with various building owners. Signal Cleveland is attempting to reach some of these companies for their views about the new contract. We will update this article with their comments.
Yanela Sims, SEIU Local 1 Ohio state director and vice president, said janitors had “fought courageously” for the new contract. In addition to raises, the union says the contract continues “100% employer-paid health insurance” and a “fiscally healthy” pension fund.
“It was Local 1 janitors who showed up throughout the pandemic and beyond to keep people safe and buildings clean, and they did it selflessly,” she said in a news release. “Local 1 janitors’ resilience demonstrates their commitment to building a Cleveland that works for all and this contract is a step in the right direction.”