Connecticut Custodians Authorize Strike

Office buildings, shopping malls, and other public facilities in Fairfield County, Connecticut may be scrambling to find cleaners in the new year if a custodian strike takes place.

After more than a month of bargaining, about 3,000 custodians who clean commercial buildings in the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County have authorized a strike if they do not have a new contract by the end of the year, Westfair Communications reports.

The cleaners are members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ and clean about 250 properties in the region, including suburban office complexes, downtown office towers, shopping malls, colleges, and other facilities with at least 100,000 square feet of space. Last week about 500 union members attended a rally at the County Office Building in White Plaines, Connecticut.

Union representatives are negotiating to maintain the same level of benefits and an increase in wages to keep up with the cost of living. Although the workers currently earn about US$16 an hour, most work part time and need to work two jobs to support themselves and their families.