San Francisco Office Custodians Approve Labor Contract

Union custodians cleaning San Francisco office buildings, including facilities used by Facebook and Google, voted last weekend to accept a labor contract with cleaning contractors that serve owners of the buildings, KTVU-TV reports.

More than 700 custodians represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 87 walked off their jobs in March amid extended contract negotiations, calling for wage increases, increased safety and labor protections amid a pandemic, and employment opportunities for laid off custodians. Two months later, SEIU Local 87 members voted 257 to 10 to approve the tentative new contract which provides a US$3 per hour wage increase over the life of the contract, retention of seniority for laid-off custodians when they return to work, protection against sexual harassment with the union working alongside the San Francisco District Attorney’s office to identify criminal acts committed against members on the job, and more.

Custodians will make at least $20.29 per hour, and most will make more, once all the provisions of the four-year contract take effect. The contract increases members’ compensation by more than 4%, including wages, heath care, sick leave, and pension provisions.

“Against all the odds, we kept fighting for ourselves and our families. Our work is hard work, it is skilled work, it is essential work. We risk ourselves to keep everyone safe. We deserve protection too,” said Ramiro Rodriguez, a custodian and bargaining committee member.

Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives, congratulated SEIU Local 87’s successful contract ratification, according to a statement from her office. “It is my honor to send congratulations to the members of SEIU Local 87 on their historic and hard-won victory,” said Pelosi, who represents the San Francisco district. “I am very pleased that SEIU Local 87 and the Building Owners and Managers Association of San Francisco were able to reach this agreement, which is a model for the nation, for janitors to work with dignity.”

SEIU has at least 2,500 working members in San Francisco, and an additional 2,500 custodians who were laid off during the pandemic.