Denver Airport Custodians Walk the Picket Line

October 4, 2021

About 350 custodians at Denver International Airport (DIA) went on strike late last week after their contract expired before they could reach an agreement with their employer, 9NEWS-TV reports.

The custodians, who are members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105, work for contractor Flagship Facility Services and its subcontractors. The workers have been pushing for a pay increase after 18 months of intense cleaning during a pandemic which forced them to focus more intently on sanitation at the airport and the connected Westin hotel.

The strike comes weeks after failed negotiations. Union representatives save the janitors’ pay is too low for their increased workloads.

“The janitors, who are a majority people of color and immigrants in our community, say that the low pay is only worsening the staffing shortages at the airport, and the strike is their response to a lack of an agreement to show Flagship their determination for improved wages and working conditions,” union representatives said in a release. 

Flagship representatives said they had hoped the union would reconsider the strike. 

“We’re disappointed that the union has turned down our final offer for an agreement that would have protected and improved wages and provided very generous fringe benefits for our valued employees,” the company said in a statement.  “In the meantime, we are prepared to serve the public at Denver International Airport to uphold a clean and safe environment and quality service for travelers in the interim.”

Meanwhile, DIA officials say they are working to minimize impacts to passengers.

“We urge our contractor Flagship, and our janitors’ union to come to agreement quickly,” airport officials said in a statement. “We believe they can resolve their differences. In the meantime, we are working closely with Flagship to minimize any disruption in service and impacts to [the airport] and our passengers.”

 

Latest Articles

The Life of a Facility Floor
May 29, 2025 Matt Casey

The Life of a Facility Floor

May 27, 2025 Jeff Cross

Why Your LinkedIn Strategy Is Failing—And How to Fix It Fast

May 27, 2025 Troy Harrison

Training Tips for Resistant Sales Staff

Sponsored Articles

U.S. Battery Brings  100-Years of Cleaning Power
May 22, 2025 Sponsored by U.S. BATTERY

U.S. Battery Brings 100-Years of Cleaning Power

May 22, 2025 Sponsored by IPC NORTH AMERICA

The Dirt on Floor Care: Facility Manager’s Guide

May 22, 2025 Sponsored by SPARTAN CHEMICAL CO.

Spartan Compliance with Regulations for PFAS in Floor Finishes

Recent News

vaccines for pregnant women

Doctors Worried About Health of Mothers & Children after HHS Covid-19 Vaccine Announcement

Chicago Housing Authority Creates Healthy Homes Division

CDC Accepts Recommendations for Mosquito-Transmitted Virus Vaccine