St. Louis Custodians Approve New Contract

Custodians who clean and maintain some of the largest buildings in the St. Louis area voted this week to ratify a three-year contract, the St. Louis Business Journal reports.

The more than 2,000 custodians, who are members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, have been rallying for a wage increase of US$15 an hour. Union representatives say the median wage for custodians in the area is $10.75 hourly and many work two jobs to afford rent and other basic living expenses.

The new contract gives union members an average 14% hourly pay increase. It also gives the custodians paid sick days, additional paid vacation days, and ensures they will not see an increase in health care insurance costs.

SEIU Local 1 representatives have been negotiating with the Contract Cleaners Association, which represents building services contractors, since October. Although union members authorized a strike last month, they did not walk off the job.