Twin Cities janitors reach deal with employers, avoid strike

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hundreds of janitors in the Twin Cities have reached a deal with their employers on a new contract, narrowly avoiding a strike that was scheduled to begin next week.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Service Employees International Union Local 26 reached the tentative agreement with employers on Saturday morning. SEIU Local 26 represents 4,000 commercial janitors in the Twin Cities. They were set to strike on Monday.

The four-year contract includes wage increases of $2.20 over the course of the agreement for full-time workers. Some part-timers will go from $11.12 an hour to $16 over the life of the contract. All full-timers will get six paid sick days by the second year. The contract also reduces health insurance costs and incorporates sexual harassment policies.

Janitors held a one-day strike in downtown Minneapolis last week, forming a picket line, waving signs and beating drums.

Local 26 members clean multiple buildings in the Twin Cities, including the Capella Tower, which houses the Star Tribune offices.