Janitors at the Anheuser Busch Brewery and Corporate Center in St. Louis Unionize with SEIU Local 1

ST. LOUIS, MO — Janitors at the Anheuser Busch (AB) Brewery and Corporate Center who’ve been fighting for union recognition since early October received notice recently that Clean-Tech, a union contractor, will assume control of day-to-day operations beginning January 8, 2024. 

After months of organized demonstrations, janitors at AB will be afforded job protections and benefits via their union contract with Clean-Tech. This tremendous victory for workers comes after Aramark was initially awarded a 3-year janitorial services contract by Anheuser Busch in May, 2023. 

Aramark will remain non-union in St. Louis but will subcontract janitorial services to Clean-Tech, in order to avoid a prolonged labor dispute with SEIU Local 1.  SEIU Local 1 currently represents approximately 1,800 union janitors throughout the St. Louis metro area, including several hundred janitors employed by Clean-Tech.

“Today is a big day for janitors across St. Louis. AB-InBev is known for its high standards of excellence within the industry,” said Chris Rak, SEIU Local 1 Director for Missouri and Southern Illinois. “Now, janitors who help to maintain their flagship brewery and corporate headquarters will finally have access to the type of job protections and benefits that other groups of essential workers at AB enjoy.” 

“My colleagues and I are excited about these recent developments and we look forward to working with SEIU Local 1 and with Clean-Tech in the near future to ensure we receive the pay, benefits and respect we deserve,” said Aaron Umstead, Janitor at Anheuser Busch Brewery & Corporate Center.